An Audit on Orthodontic Referrals by Government Dental Officers in the Federal Territory of Labuan

Abstract Aims: This review aims to evaluate orthodontic referral patterns by dental officers in public clinics in Labuan, assessing the accuracy, completeness, and compliance with the Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia’s referral guidelines and identifying areas for improvement. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional review was conducted to review 77 orthodontic referrals made between June 2023 and June 2024. Data from referral records and patient files were analysed, including patient demographics, referral details, Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) grading, and referral outcomes. SPSS version 26 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: The mean age of the referred patients was 17.49 (±6.99) years, with 68.8% being female. Only 71.4% of referral forms were complete, with dental history most frequently missing (22.1%). Of the referred patients, 44.2% had good oral hygiene, while 16.9% still had active caries. Class III malocclusion was the most referred (33.8%). Inaccurate IOTN scoring was noted in 20.8% of cases, and 27.3% of incisor classifications were incorrect. About 90.9% of referrals met the MOH requirement for IOTN grades 4 or 5. Conclusion: The review highlights the need for refresher training on IOTN and caries assessment for dental officers to enhance referral quality and patient care in Labuan’s orthodontic services.