Building Smiles: Dr. Saranya V Discusses the Intricacies of Orthodontics (Part II)
In this second part of our Docscopy segment, Dr. Saranya V discusses about the specialization of orthodontics with Dr. Nirainila Joseph from MedBound Times.
Dr. Saranya V graduated with a BDS degree from Tamil Nadu Government Dental College and Hospital, Chennai. Currently, she is a final year Resident Orthodontist at Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi. She shares her expertise and experiences in the field of orthodontics shedding light on the numerous opportunities available for orthodontists in India. She also discusses the public perception of orthodontic treatments, offering valuable perspectives on the challenges and rewards of this specialized field.
Join us as Dr. Saranya V provides a comprehensive look at the world of orthodontics.
Dr. Nirainila Joseph: In your opinion, what has been the most rewarding aspect of your postgraduate journey in orthodontics so far?
Dr. Saranya V: The smile of the patient at the end of the treatment is the greatest reward for any orthodontist. In my experience, I have seen patients who were very hesitant to smile fully in the pre-treatment photo records as they were conscious about their smile and I have seen the same patients becoming more confident and smiling more freely as the treatment progressed.
Dr. Nirainila Joseph: Highlighting the transformative impact of orthodontic treatment on patients' confidence and smiles, how would you describe the role of an orthodontist in the overall field of dentistry? What unique skills and expertise do orthodontists bring to patient care?
Dr. Saranya V: The role of an orthodontist in the field of dentistry is to establish good oral function and acceptable esthetics. An orthodontist can treat a kid as young as 5 years with growth modification appliances as well as an adult as old as 50 years for the correction of traumatic occlusion and prosthetic rehabilitation. So the role of an orthodontist is indispensable and irreplaceable in a general dentistry practice.
Dr. Nirainila Joseph: As you've highlighted the indispensable role of orthodontists in dental care, what types of employment opportunities are available for orthodontists in India?
Dr. Saranya V: There are many opportunities available for an orthodontist in India. You can always go for consultations in private practices. You can also choose an academic career as a lecturer in dental colleges. There are lot of career opportunities like research fellowships in Institutes like AIIMS,PGI, MAIDS etc. Many ongoing projects under ICMR offer research grants for scholars pursuing research in multiple fields of dentistry.
Dr. Nirainila Joseph: What are your career aspirations upon completing your postgraduate studies in orthodontics?
Dr. Saranya V: I am planning to go ahead with my senior residency and also do consultations for a year or two.
Dr. Nirainila Joseph: Given your plans for consultations, how prevalent is the public perception that orthodontic treatment is quite expensive in India? How do orthodontists address concerns about affordability and cost-effectiveness when discussing treatment options with patients?
Dr. Saranya V: The cost factor is a major concern for any orthodontist. The basic fixed treatment modalities can be quite expensive from a middle income family point of view. The cost of aligner treatment is another story altogether. The clinicians in private practices usually give the patients the option of paying the total cost of the treatment in installments which often reduces the financial burden on the patients to some extent. On the other hand the treatment cost in the government institutions are quite affordable but the disadvantage is the prolonged waiting period.
Dr. Nirainila Joseph: Thank you Dr. Saranya. Your expertise and generosity in providing such valuable advice are truly appreciated. As we near the end of our discussion, what are the key messages you hope patients and the broader community will take away regarding the importance of orthodontics in maintaining lifelong oral health?
Dr. Saranya V: Early orthodontic consultation is a must. The first consultation for your child can be done as early as 7 years of age. It's not always mandatory to wait for the eruption of the full set of permanent dentition to start the orthodontic treatment. Orthodontic treatment can be done even in adults up to 50 years of age depending on your periodontal health. Even the most complicated facial deformities can be treated with a combination of orthodontics and orthognathic surgery.
MedBound Times expresses sincere gratitude to Dr. Saranya V for sharing her valuable insights on our platform.
