The controversy regarding early or late orthodontic treatment still appears unresolved, as both could grant possible benefits to the patient. Treatment should aim to providing the best outcome, in the shortest time, with a minimum of biological and financial costs. The choice of the appropriate timing for each individual is often a challenge for the orthodontists. The prevalence of malocclusion increases with age and early treatment may remove etiological factors and utilize growth forces, facilitating successful treatment. The observation of abnormal occlusal traits might escape the parents, and a better interaction between orthodontists and paediatricians, and other therapists, often in contact with young children, could increase the early referral of patients presenting a need of treatment. A cooperation with these specialists was established, involving lectures and interactive seminars, to help identifying malocclusions that might benefit from early treatment, such as increased overjet, functional cross bite, habits, premature loss of teeth... All specialists were then instructed to refer to the orthodontists their young patients presenting signs of developing anomalies. 562 individuals (21%) referred by the specialists were examined (group A), 2122 (79%) independently asked for an examination (group B). A significant difference in their mean age was observed, lower in group A: 7.8 - 9.7, p<0.01. A higher need of treatment (IOTN grades 4-5) was observed in group A (84.1%) than in group B (62.9%). Earlier observation and cost effective treatment of occlusal anomalies could be facilitated by better information and cooperation with other specialists, identifying developing anomalies at an early stage.

The controversy regarding early or late orthodontic treatment is still unresolved, as both could grant benefits to the patient. The choice of the appropriate individual timing is a challenge for the orthodontists and abnormal occlusal traits might escape the parents. Interaction between orthodontists and other specialists could increase the early referral of patients presenting a need of treatment. A cooperation with a group of specialists was established, instructing them to refer to the orthodontists their young patients presenting signs of anomalies. Cost effective early identification and treatment of developing occlusal anomalies could be facilitated by interacting with other specialists.