Author Q&A: Padhraig Fleming | British Dental Journal
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The BDJ, in association with the British Dental Association (BDA), has published Fixed orthodontic appliances: a practical guide,1part of the series of books: the BDJ Clinician’s Guides. This series builds on the trusted BDJ Clinical Guides, creating books that update and inform the busy clinician on key topics across all fields of dentistry. We spoke to one of the authors, Padhraig Fleming, to find out more about it.
Why should people read this book?
We are privileged to undertake orthodontics on a daily basis feeling almost uniquely challenged from academic, practical and aesthetic perspectives with an abundance of variables feeding into clinical decision-making. Orthodontics is a knowledge-based, evolving and progressive specialty. There is no substitute either for solid academic grounding or practical understanding and skills. This book deals primarily with the latter and we hope will be a fundamental guide for those in the early years of orthodontic practice and training.
It is intended as a practical manual for those starting clinical orthodontics – postgraduates, non-specialist dental providers and orthodontic therapists. We hope it can serve as an indispensable guide during the formative years of clinical orthodontic practice.
Did you enjoy writing it?
We did. Every book brings its own challenges. Here the key was to avoid the temptation to include excessive underpinning theory and science as we did not want to duplicate existing texts which already cover these aspects comprehensively. We do not, therefore, consider this textbook to be a stand-alone solution and would recommend deeper learning from allied theoretical and evidence-based books supplemented with appropriate in-depth clinical training.
As orthodontic educators, we have come to appreciate the challenge of transmitting clinical skills and hands-on aspects to large groups of students. We hope that this book offers a ‘fly on the wall’ guide to how we place and manipulate appliances after many years of trial, error and qualified success.
What are the key issues in this area?
We are mindful that non-specialist provision of care is on the increase; this can of itself be a positive improving access and patient choice. However, a number of proprietary appliance systems have been marketed promising uniquely simple, practical solutions and optimal clinical outcomes with minimal effort or scientific underpinning. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of orthodontic innovators and the dawn of full appliance customisation, we firmly believe that the clinician rather than his or her tools will continue to be the key determinant of treatment outcomes. I believe that the skills and knowledge presented in this textbook are transferable and fundamental to successful use of an array of fixed appliance systems.
Any advice for future authors of BDJ Clinician’s Guides?
Work on a topic that you are passionate about and try to progress your project on a weekly basis.
What do you do in your spare time?
I am an avid golfer with less time than I would like to work on either my short- or long-game. The results are, therefore, sadly less predictable than my orthodontics. I also love to ski and am a keen follower of English cricket and Irish rugby.
What other dentistry books would you highly recommend?
From a selfish perspective, I would suggest Clinical cases in orthodontics, which I co-authored with Martyn Cobourne, Andrew DiBiase and Sofia Ahmed some years ago. However, the academic inside cannot see past Proffit’s fundamental orthodontic text (Contemporary orthodontics). It can seem imposing and perhaps daunting in an era of accessible information but is ultimately rewarding and a ‘must read’ for every student of orthodontics.
A free chapter of this book is available for one month only. To access this chapter, please visit
https://bit.ly/33VC1rd
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