Quality control in orthodontics: factors influencing the receipt of orthodontic treatment.
The factors which influence the uptake of orthodontic treatment are reviewed with respect to the features and aspirations of the consumers (patients and parents) and the providers (dentists, orthodontists and health system). It appears that the assessment of orthodontic treatment need is influenced by many variables relating to opportunity and demand for treatment; this results in a marked lack of uniformity in treatment uptake.