Objective: The purpose of this ecological study was to investigate the relationship between uptake of orthodontic services and factors that might influence receipt of care at a population level.
Method: The dental practice board supplied data on claims for courses of active orthodontic treatment from April 2001 to March 2002 for children from the former county of Avon. These data were analysed in relation to deprivation, living in an urban/rural setting and the proportion of the population from a black or minority ethnic group (BME).
Results: In Avon, children from deprived and rural areas were significantly less likely to be undergoing an active course of orthodontic treatment. Children from an area with a high proportion BME were significantly more likely to be undergoing treatment.
Conclusion: This research demonstrates that children from more deprived and rural communities in Avon are less likely to receive orthodontic treatment. This has important policy implications for primary care trusts that have a responsibility to ensure equal access to care for all of their children.