In Review: Improving Orthodontic Outcome

Following from the success of the “Improving Orthodontic Outcome“ course delivered by Dr John Bennett last year, it was with anticipation that delegates attended the course “An Overview of systemized and effective orthodontic Care” delivered by Dr McLaughlin at the Royal College of Physicians in London this May. Another exciting course sponsored by DB Orthodontics, and featuring Dr McLaughlin, an orthodontist that has made a significant contribution to clinical orthodontics as we know it today. Having recently undertaken my training with the “MBT treatment philosophy” providing the basis to the principles I was taught, I was very much looking forward to hearing Dr McLaughlin at the course.

Dr Richard McLaughlin completed his orthodontic training at the University of Southern California. Since then, he has been in full time practice of orthodontics in San Diego, California. Dr McLaughlin is also a clinical professor at the University of Southern California, and an associate professor at Saint Louis University. He is presently serving as President of the National Angle Society.

Dr McLaughlin with the DB team

Dr McLaughlin co-authored the textbook “Systemized Orthodontic Treatment Mechanics” (2001), which has formed the basis for teaching in many orthodontic departments across the world, including where I did my own orthodontic training at the University of Liverpool. Dr McLaughlin and Dr Bennett have continued to develop their treatment philosophy and mechanics and have recently published a further textbook incorporating the advances and developments in their treatment philosophy; “Fundamentals of Orthodontic Treatment Mechanics”.

The course was informative, stimulating and provided opportunity for audience participations, giving rise to some good discussions with many cases presented throughout the lectures.

In this 2 day course, Dr McLaughlin presented the key aspects of the “McLaughlin-Bennett System 4.0TM”. The audience was taken on a comprehensive and thought-provoking journey, delivered with good humor and the opportunity for open discussions. The course was informative, stimulating and provided opportunity for audience participations, giving rise to some good discussions with many cases presented throughout the lectures.

Dr McLaughlin began by covering orthodontic treatment mechanics and the background to the pre-adjusted appliance. He then summarized his process of diagnosis, and treatment planning with a particular emphasis on the cephalometric interpretation, looking at both hard and soft tissue analyses. He covered inter-arch treatment mechanics and looked at the management of class II malocclusions, followed by presentations on inter-arch treatment mechanics, with regards to class III and treatment of asymmetric malocclusions.

The second day of lectures did not disappoint with more informative presentations on the management of the developing dentition, occlusion and the tempromandibular jaw in orthodontics, and finishing with discussing combined surgical orthodontic- orthognathic treatment. A particularly popular aspect of the course was the scope for much audience participation in the treatment planning of cases presented.

The breadth of topics covered provided valuable insight for the audience, of which there was a wide cross section, a combination of GDPs, clinicians from both practice and hospital backgrounds, ranging from junior trainees to consultants. All agreed it was a fantastic course, delivered in an engaging manner, demonstrating Dr McLaughlin’s passion for orthodontics. Personally I came away with many clinical hints and tips that I will incorporate into my clinical practice.

Overall the course was enjoyable, engaging and stimulating. I would like to thank Dr McLaughlin for such an enthusiastic and comprehensive delivery. I would also like to thank DB Orthodontics for organizing and sponsoring the event; their hospitality was excellent as always.