Orthoplanner is a knowledge-based system to provide dentists with orthodontic treatment plans for cases where fixed orthodontic appliance techniques must be employed.

Whilst the mechanical side of treatment is relatively straight forward, success depends upon adopting an appropriate treatment plan. Studies have shown that less than half the treatment plans adopted by practitioners are ideal and this considerably compromises the standard of the result, which is obtained. Orthoplanner has been shown to provide treatment plans which have the same peer support as those produced by an average consultant orthodontist with 10 year postgraduate training and experience. Extensive use is made of interactive graphics to input clinical data. In addition to treatment planning advice, the program provides extensive clinical support including instructions to patients, pre-formed letters and a 200 page hypertext manual with 1,000 supporting references. Orthopolanner is in use in a number of practices in the United Kingdom.

Orthoplanner for Windows (CD-ROM).

Orthoplanner was developed by cooperation between the Department of Engineering Mathematics and the Department of Child Dental Health (Prof CD Stephens, Dept. of Child Dental Health, Bristol Dental Hospital, Lower Maudlin Street, Bristol, BS1 2LY), University of Bristol and Team Management Systems, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, with support from 2 SMART Awards (Small Firms Merit Award for Research and Technology).

email: Pharding@tmsdental.co.uk or TMS@tmsdental.co.uk