Orthodontics
Orthodontics is a specialty in dentistry that deals with the diagnosis, prevention, and corrections of jaws and teeth that are not well-positioned. It may also deal with focusing on the modification of facial growth, which in most cases, is referred to as dentofacial orthopedics. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, the services rendered by orthodontists are widely sought since almost 50% of the population is suffering from malocclusions severe enough to seek orthodontic treatment (Littlewood & Mitchell, 2019). I have selected this profession because of the interest I have with serving people – the desire to diagnose, prevent, and correct malpositioned jaws and teeth after one of my family members suffered malpositioned teeth. Also, it is not a flooded profession in the market, and therefore I will be in high demand.
The current Corona Virus pandemic has negatively affected orthodontics. The epidemic has led to different measures to curb its spread, for example, social distancing and restricted movements. Orthodontics is among the worst-hit professions because when orthodontics are treating a patient, he can produce aerosols. These are droplets or sprays of blood or saliva, which are released by the patient into the air. It is important to note that the Corona Virus spread through such droplets, and this is not only threatening to the medic but also people around. As a consequence, many people are now indoors and are not seeking orthodontic services except those who need urgent attention.
Therefore, future economic implication of this pandemic to orthodontics is that there will be an influx of patients suffering experiencing malpositioned jaws and teeth after the epidemic is over. This means that the demand will go up against the few orthodontics available in the industry. As a consequence, the pay will increase in the future. A sudden peak of this infectious disease will also lead to a surge in hospital admissions, which will consequently increase operational and administrative expenditures. For instance, the H1N1 influenza pandemic in the United Kingdom between 2009 and 2011 led to increased admission costs in the country (Mytton, Rutter & Donaldson, 2012).
References
Littlewood, S. J., & Mitchell, L. (2019). An introduction to orthodontics. Oxford university press.
Mytton, O. T., Rutter, P. D., & Donaldson, L. J. (2012). Influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 in England, 2009 to 2011: a greater burden of severe illness in the year after the pandemic than in the pandemic year. Euro surveillance, 17(14), 11-19.