Adverse Events - Introduction

Adverse Events in Orthodontics

The Yellow Card Reporting Scheme

Back in the April 2006 issue of the BOS News, readers were informed that the Clinical Effectiveness Committee of the British Orthodontic Society had developed a reporting scheme in an attempt to more formally log and identify the various types of adverse reactions that can occur in orthodontic practice. A pilot study, using a similar “yellow card” system to that employed by the Commission on Human Medicines (www.yellowcard.gov.uk) for the recording of adverse drug reactions, had been run in South Yorkshire during 2005 with favourable results. Following the pilot study, a revised reporting card was developed and this form has been available on the BOS website as a download.

A wide range of adverse reactions may occur in orthodontic practice - from the very serious to the minor. Some of these reactions may or may not be considered a part of routine orthodontic practice. Some may relate to a particular clinical method or to a specific type of material or make of instrument being used by an orthodontist. It is important for the orthodontic community, as a whole, to identify such clinical risks in our everyday practice and to alert the rest of the profession to these potential problems.

Hard copies of the reporting form have been circulated to members. The form is also available to consult and download on the BOS website.

The participation of all BOS members with this project will contribute to an overall improvement in clinical governance issues within our specialty by helping to minimise medico-legal risks to orthodontic specialists and, more importantly, by reducing potential risks that may befall our patients. Your co-operation would be greatly appreciated. In future, we would hope to provide BOS members with a regular update of the “yellow card” findings.

David Morris
Chairman
BOS Clinical Standards Committee