What Is An Orthodontic Therapist And What Do They Do?

The role of an ‘Orthodontic Therapist’ is a relatively new addition to the dental profession. Their role is designed to help support Orthodontic Dentists in delivering teeth straightening treatments – reducing waiting times and increasing positive outcomes for our patients.

We are delighted to have welcomed Lauren Smoothy to our team as our Orthodontic Therapist. Lauren will work closely with our Invisalign expert Dr. Montse Galiano and the rest of the team, to help deliver teeth straightening treatments as quickly and efficiently as possible.

A little more about Lauren:

Lauren is registered with the General Dental Council (GDC) as a medical professional, her membership number is 161075. She has a diploma in Orthodontic Therapy from Warwick University, where she won the ‘outstanding student’ award for her graduation year!

Although she qualified as an Orthodontic Therapist in 2010, Lauren was a Dental Nurse for 4 years before qualifying so has a deep and meaningful understanding of how a dental practice operates.

She prides herself on offering precise, caring and calm approaches to her patients. This helps put patients at ease when she is treating them.

In her spare time, Lauren likes to keep fit and runs marathons across the UK and has been captain of a rowing club in the past.

What treatment can an Orthodontic Therapist carry out?

Laurens’ main role is to complete treatments which are non-invasive and reversible, under prescription from Montse.

Lauren can:

1. Take impressions and 3D scans of your teeth.
2. Fit braces or aligners.
3. Adjust brackets on existing braces.
4. Change arch wires on existing braces.
5. Remove braces or aligners.
6. Fit retainers.

Lauren cannot formulate your treatment plan for you, this must be done by Montse. She can, however, complete a consultation with you and gather all the relevant information needed by Montse. She will then formulate your bespoke treatment plan and create a ‘prescription’ to allow Lauren to go ahead with the treatments for you.

This addition to our patient journey is designed to increase access to treatments at convenient times for our patients.

What supervision does an Orthodontic Therapist get?

Montse and Lauren will work closely together as a team to ensure you get the very best treatment journey possible here at South Devon Dental. Montse will always be on hand to consult with and assist Lauren during your treatments – we have the utmost confidence in her clinical abilities and skills in putting you at ease if you are in any way nervous.

If you would like to book a consultation with Lauren, please call 01803 556422 for more information.