The Joint Orthodontic-Paediatric-Restorative Dentistry (JOPR) Clinic

What is the Joint Orthodontic-Paediatric-Restorative Dentistry (JOPR) clinic?

The JOPR clinic is a specialist clinic led by members of the Orthodontic, Paediatric Dentistry and Restorative Dentistry teams.

Orthodontists are dentists who specialise in using braces to move teeth.

Paediatric dentists specialise in the treatment of children under 16 years of age.

Restorative dentists specialise in the treatment of problems with the teeth and gums in children over 16 years and adults.

Patients can be referred to the JOPR clinic at any age. About half of the patients we see on the JOPR clinic are adults and half are children.

Why do I need to attend the JOPR clinic?

People are usually referred to this clinic because of problems with their teeth that need input from at least two of the three specialties. It is very helpful for dentists from the different teams to see you at the same time to discuss options and work together with you to agree on a treatment plan.

People might be referred to the clinic due to problems such as:

• having not grown all of your adult teeth (hypodontia)
• teeth that have not come through (erupted) and remain under the gums
• teeth that have not formed properly
• teeth that are a different size or shape than normal
• damage to or loss of teeth due to trauma

What happens at the JOPR clinic?

The team meet before the clinic to discuss the patients who will be seen that day. We look at any X-rays, photographs or models you have had taken of your teeth. We will come up with some suggestions for treatment to discuss with you.

When you come to your appointment, you will meet a number of different dentists from the Orthodontic and Restorative Dentistry teams. Children will also be seen by Paediatric Dentists. The team looking after you consists of consultants, training grade dentists and dental nurses. We will discuss your concerns and examine your mouth and teeth. We might need to take more X-rays of your teeth or jaws.

We will explain the options for your treatment. You will be able to ask us any questions you might have, for example about your teeth or the treatment options. Sometimes it can be hard to know what you would like to do. You will not have to decide on the day if you don’t want to – you can have some time to think things through.

Appointments on the JOPR clinic can be quite long. You should be prepared to be in the Dental Institute for at least two hours.

Who will I meet at the JOPR clinic?

During the JOPR clinic you can expect to be seen by a number of different dentists from the different teams involved in your treatment.

You may meet the following Consultants:

• Consultants in Orthodontics
• Consultants in Paediatric Dentistry
• Consultants in Restorative Dentistry

Will I need to come back to the JOPR clinic?

This can vary. If your treatment plan has been decided, you will usually then be given appointments within the relevant department(s) to start treatment.

If you would like more time to think about your options, you will be seen on the JOPR clinic again to confirm the plan. Alternatively if we need to wait a while before deciding on a plan (e.g. if we are waiting for adult teeth to come through, your child to stop growing, or if we are waiting for results of further tests), we will see you again for a review appointment.

If your treatment involves several phases we may need to review you at the end of each phase e.g. shortly before you finish your orthodontic treatment.

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