Abstract
‘Two-tier dental systems planned’; ‘Children in need of orthodontic treatment to go without’ … recent scaremonger headlines from consumer reports exaggerate the latest potential effects of this government's plans to target financial resources at those in greatest need. This article aims to provide a background to occlusal indices and provide general dental practitioners (GDPs) with an insight into the use of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN), which it is understood may be introduced into the General Dental Service in the future.