Meaning-Making and Role Perceptions in Orthodontics Removable Appliance Services: Insights from Pharmacy Technicians, General Practitioners, Nursing Staff, and Social Work Professionals
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Keywords
Removable orthodontic appliances, interdisciplinary healthcare, role perception, meaning-making, pharmacy technicians, general practitioners, nursing staff, social workers, orthodontic care, qualitative research.
Abstract
This study investigates how interdisciplinary healthcare professionals pharmacy technicians, general practitioners, nursing staff, and social workers perceive their roles in the context of removable orthodontic appliance (ROA) services. The motivation behind this inquiry stems from a growing need for integrated patient care, especially as removable appliances become more common in general dental and community health settings. Despite not being traditionally involved in orthodontics, these professionals often encounter patients using ROAs and contribute to their treatment indirectly through support, referrals, education, or psychosocial care. A qualitative methodology was employed, utilizing semi-structured interviews with 52 participants across four professional groups. The data were collected in regional healthcare centers in the UK, with purposive sampling ensuring participants had direct or indirect experience with orthodontic patients. Thematic analysis revealed that general practitioners and nurses perceived greater involvement and responsibility in orthodontic care, while pharmacy technicians and social workers identified more supportive, though less defined, roles. The results highlight a gap in formal orthodontic training for non-dental professionals, leading to role ambiguity and inconsistent engagement. Nonetheless, participants expressed a willingness to support orthodontic care more actively, provided they received appropriate training and institutional support. The study concludes that understanding role perceptions and the symbolic, emotional, and educational dimensions of meaning-making in orthodontic contexts is essential for designing more cohesive, interdisciplinary care models.
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