Cleft Orthodontic Care in Europe: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

(1) Background: Orthodontists have an important role in cleft care. Over the two decades since the Eurocleft studies, a significant improvement in healthcare systems has been achieved but there has been no critical assessment regarding the establishment of proposed standard protocols. This study aimed to describe the current provider characteristics, orthodontic appliances, services offered, orthodontic complications, and cost analysis of cleft treatment in Europe. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional 22-question online survey, accessible from January 2021 to July 2021, was sent to 214 practitioners, pertaining to provider characteristics, orthodontic appliances, services offered, orthodontic complications, and cost analysis. Descriptive statistics were calculated for each question. Fisher’s exact test was used to assess the association between categorical variables. (3) Results: A total of 79 responses from 23 European countries completed the survey (response rate = 37%), with 69 surveys being assessed after the exclusion of incomplete surveys. Rapid maxillary expansion was the preferred expansion protocol (45%). Distraction osteogenesis was the most reported alternative treatment to secondary bone grafts (19%), with private practitioners being less likely to perform these treatments (Fisher’s exact test, p = 0.001). Orthodontic services offered were, however, rather similar in the various locations of provision (hospital and/or university, private). Compromised oral hygiene (77%) was the most reported orthodontic complication. The National Health Services support the majority of cleft orthodontic care (67%) in Europe. (4) Conclusion: An apparent improvement in orthodontic healthcare provision has been achieved within Europe in the last two decades, but there are several discrepancies, namely regarding treatment timing and the appliances offered.