Orthodontics - It's So Easy (and other lies)

Once upon a time, orthodontics was almost exclusively the domain of specialists. But in the late 1990s, disrupters such as clear aligner treatment and proliferation of short-course orthodontic training programs for dentists began to shift the landscape. Today, orthodontic treatment in various forms is increasingly integrated into general practices - sometimes for the better, but sometimes with unintended and unfavorable consequences.

This presentation will examine:

• The reasons behind the shift away from the traditional referral-based model of orthodontic care
• The opportunities and challenges that arise when general dentists provide comprehensive orthodontics within their own practices
• The realities of evidence-based orthodontics – why providing high-quality treatment outcomes isn’t as easy as some orthodontic “gurus” often claim
• Practical strategies to avoid and manage common orthodontic problems, from treatment planning to retention
• Clear aligner patient management tips – from a battle scarred Invisalign veteran with over 1,000 comprehensive cases completed
• Engaging stories, clinical cases, and real-world insights that reveal the good, the bad, and the unusual in modern orthodontics 

3 COURSE MEAL 

Dr Holmes is a specialist orthodontist with practices in Cannington and Margaret River. He completed his general dental training and specialist orthodontic training at the University of Western Australia (UWA) and has been in specialist orthodontic private practice since 2000. Dr Holmes has held numerous professional appointments including Federal President of the Australian Society of Orthodontists (ASO), WA state branch President of the ASO, Congress Chairman for the 23rd Australian Orthodontic Congress and President of the Dental Study Group of WA. As a media spokesperson for the ASO, Dr Holmes has been engaged by numerous media agencies including A Current Affair, Today Tonight, ABC Radio, The Sydney Morning Herald, The West Australian and Choice Magazine to discuss important consumer related orthodontic matters.

Dr Holmes has also served as both a clinical supervisor and examiner at the postgraduate orthodontic program at UWA and currently sits on the board of studies in orthodontics for the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (RACDS).