Standardizing Orthodontics Amid the Beauty-Seeking Trend: Industry Leaders Call for Medical Integrity and Public Education

On September 28, 2020, the Ormco™ Orthodontic Academic Forum (Ormco Forum) officially kicked off in Chongqing, China’s “Mountain City,” delivering a feast of cutting-edge academic insights to thousands of orthodontists across the country. On the same day, a media briefing themed “Crafting Beauty with Professionalism, Safeguarding Oral Health” brought professional orthodontics into the public spotlight.

Industry leaders and experts attending this media briefing included: Professor Zhao Zhihe, Vice Dean of the West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University; Professor Jin Zuolin, Chairman of the Orthodontics Professional Committee of the Chinese Stomatological Association; Professor Dai Hongwei, Vice President of the Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University; Professor Song Jinlin, Vice President of the Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University; and Professor Hu Min, Vice Dean of the School of Stomatology, Jilin University. The meeting was moderated by Mr. Yu Daguang, Editor-in-Chief of Forum Dentaire Mondial (World Dental Forum).

Industry Leaders and Experts Attending the Media Briefing

In June this year, the Chinese Stomatological Association issued the “Statement on Resolutely Combating Chaotic Commercialization in Oral Healthcare,” strongly condemning and firmly opposing unprofessional and non-standardized practices masquerading as “cosmetic dentistry.” This press conference serves not only as a proactive response to the statement but also as an in-depth exposition and reflection on standardized management and development within the oral healthcare industry.

As living standards in China continue to rise, an increasing number of people are paying attention to oral health and dental aesthetics. The desire for beauty has sparked a “lookism economy,” which has not only given birth to a tooth-beautification market worth hundreds of billions of yuan but also led to rampant commercial irregularities in the dental industry driven by the pursuit of capital. At the conference, Professor Zhao Zhihe, Vice Dean of West China School of Stomatology at Sichuan University, stated that for the orthodontic industry, currently swept up in the wave of aesthetic demand, to develop in a standardized manner, it must clearly recognize that the essence of orthodontics is medical care—a science related to facial appearance. Furthermore, all stakeholders in the industry need to work together to continuously strengthen public education on orthodontics and enhance the public’s scientific understanding of dental orthodontic treatment.

Professor Zhao Zhihe, Deputy Dean of the West China School of Stomatology at Sichuan University, Emphasizes the Importance of a Scientific Understanding of Orthodontics

The continuous development of the internet and social media has led to an increasing fragmentation, or even "powderization," of information channels, leaving the general public often immersed in a vast array of information of varying quality. Professor Jin Zuolin, Chairman of the Orthodontics Professional Committee of the Chinese Stomatological Association, emphasized from the perspective of "Internet + Healthcare" that internet technology should be better leveraged to provide consumers with more accurate information and deliver higher-quality professional training content for clinicians. This approach stands in contrast to exploiting the convenience of the internet to bypass dentists who provide specialized technical care, thereby engaging in orthodontic practices based on unsystematic online information.

Professor Jin Zuolin, Chairman of the Orthodontics Professional Committee of the Chinese Stomatological Association, Shares Insights on Leveraging Internet Technology

How to effectively leverage “Internet + Healthcare” services also became a core topic of discussion at the event. Professor Dai Hongwei, Vice President of the Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, highlighted the advantages of online appointment booking and consultation services. Furthermore, Professor Song Jinlin, also Vice President of the Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, explored the potential of integrating artificial intelligence into the intelligent management of the entire treatment cycle for pediatric orthodontics, aiming to deliver superior orthodontic care through “early detection, early intervention, and precise patient guidance.”

Turning Words into Action, Integrating Knowledge with Practice. Building on over 60 years of specialized research and case experience, Ormco™ remains committed to delivering professional products, technologies, and knowledge to dental professionals and consumers in China. Upholding a spirit of professionalism, we strive to create beautiful smiles and partner with dedicated clinicians to safeguard optimal oral health.