AVAILABILITY OF INSTRUMENT AND MATERIAL IN THE ORTHODONTIC CLINIC, FACULTY OF DENTISTRY UNIVERSITY OF MALAYA- AN AUDIT

The audit aimed to investigate the availability of orthodontic instruments and materials at Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya. The standard was set as 100% of instruments and materials should be available when required for orthodontic treatment. The form comprised of six sections, which listed the commonly used instruments and materials involved in the procedures of impression taking, fitting and removal of molar bands, bonding and debonding of orthodontic brackets and activation of orthodontic appliances. The fifth section listed the less commonly used instruments and materials and a part for the clinician to list down instruments that were used but not listed in the form. Whilst the last section is for the clinician to list down the instruments or materials that were not available when requested. A total of 567 forms were completed and it was found that 97.6% instruments and 98.6% materials were available. Overall, 22 types of instruments were temporary not available with frequency mean of 2.1 (Minimum: 1; Maximum: 7) whilst 6 types of materials were temporary not available with a frequency mean of 2.3 (Minimum: 1; Maximum: 8). In conclusion, majority of the instruments and materials required during orthodontic clinical sessions were available. The check list of frequently used orthodontic instruments and materials from this audit could aid inventory and help future management of the material and instruments.