Compliance with the minimum dataset of the British Orthodontic Society/British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons for record keeping for orthognathic patients: Retrospective comparative multicentre audit

Accurate and timely collection of clinical records is of utmost importance in planning, evaluating, and auditing orthognathic operations. The minimum dataset guidelines of the British Orthodontic Society (BOS) and the British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (BAOMS) were published in an attempt to standardise the collection of clinical records of patients having orthognathic operations. This multicentre retrospective audit aimed to assess and compare compliance with the guidelines in 3 maxillofacial units over a 1-year period. A total of 105 cases were reviewed. Compliance varied. Documentation of altered sensation was consistently poor and too many unnecessary radiographs were taken. There may be a need to circulate the guidelines again to increase awareness and reduce variability between centres.