Orthodontic society teams up with charity to combat bullying

A sample of 700 school children aged between 10 and 14-years-old revealed that children are bullied because of their teeth, particularly due to them sticking out. This is mainly in the form of name calling, mean comments and teasing. In addition, the research showed that children with an aesthetically handicapping malocclusion are more likely to feel lonely at school and this is especially prevalent in girls.

The press gathering at BOC included insights from research undertaken by Andrew DiBiase alongside real life experiences of bullying from comedienne, influencer and ambassador for anti-bullying charity Kidscape, Olga Thompson.

Every year thousands of young people embark on orthodontic treatment.Teenagers can face many challenges as they transition to the next stage in their lives and sadly bullying can have a devastating lifelong impact. As a result of this research, the BOS has said it wants to tackle the issue head-on by ensuring everyone working in the field of orthodontics is equipped with the tools to support young people. As part of its partnership with Kidscape, the BOS has developed tips and signposting for support.