With the scare that is Covid-19, people all over the world are looking for ways to protect themselves and their families from undue harm. From here forward, most if not all of us will likely question the safety of where our products come from and the services that we receive. No one person, no business is immune to the reverberating effects of what this Pandemic has created in the public trust.
With this forage into the unknown we are left with opportunity -- the prospect for development of new technologies and advancements to the betterment of the health and well-being of our society. There are also opportunities on which others will capitalize for only their own gain. However you view this uncertainty, the outcome is that some whether uninformed or out of fear, may make choices which do not serve their best interests.
We have often shared with you the importance of only seeking treatment with a qualified and licensed orthodontist. The correlation of clinical and histologic observation of tooth movement to the adjustment and tweaking of patient treatment protocols is simply something that cannot be established through clear aligners options offered online or by mail. It is something that can only be ensured through the ongoing treatment and observational care of a licensed orthodontist. Furthermore, there are more assurances than ever that you can continue to receive safe, effective in-office orthodontic treatment.
In January, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) announced that nine members of the U. S. House of Representatives authored a letter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to express their concerns regarding a certain “smile by mail” enterprise. Their intent, to ensure the group was not misleading consumers or putting them in harm’s way.
What’s the concern? In a July 2, 2019 statement the AAO said this in regard to direct-to-consumer orthodontics. “…orthodontic aligners are meant to move teeth, which if not done correctly can lead to potentially irreversible and expensive damage such as tooth and gum loss, changed bites, and other issues – some of which may not arise immediately.”
So if someone you know is looking into orthodontics and considering treatment by mail as a safe option to guard against Covid-19... tell them no way! As we’ve been saying, the health and well-being of our patients, family and friends is always our first priority. We are at the forefront. Through the introduction of technologies, new policies and continuing education we are always looking for new opportunities to bring you only the safest and best in care for a beautiful Forever Smile!
