Dear ASO Member

You are invited to participate in the survey: ‘A survey of orthodontic retention practices and retainer characteristics among specialist orthodontists’.
You are invited to participate as you are a member of the ASO. Only AHPRA registered specialist orthodontists are eligible for membership of the ASO.
This survey is being conducted by Dr Maurice J Meade and Professor Craig Dreyer and is being partially funded by a research grant from the Australian Society of Orthodontists Foundation for Research and Education.
It aims to survey contemporary orthodontic retention practices among specialist orthodontists in Australia and to compare with a similar Australian survey conducted in 2004. It will also allow us to compare practices with other countries and acquire new knowledge regarding retainer characteristics.
The survey will provide further evidence for specialist orthodontists to evaluate their own retention practices and information for future research in the area of orthodontic retention.
Participation involves answering a series of questions in 7 groups. Questions are mostly ‘tick-box’ and relate to your demographic details, retention in the maxilla, retention in the mandible, adjunctive retention procedures, retainer checks, retainer characteristics and retainer choice. In addition, you will have the opportunity to provide your own comments.
The survey will take less than 15 minutes to complete. Survey responses will be anonymous and there are no foreseeable risks.
Participation in this project is voluntary. If you agree to participate, you can withdraw at any time before submission of the survey.
Submission of survey responses will be taken as an indication of consent to taking part.
The results of the survey will be reported in a peer-reviewed publication.
Participants with specific queries regarding the survey may contact Dr Maurice Meade (primary contact) at maurice.meade@adelaide.edu.au or Professor Craig Dreyer at craig.dreyer@adelaide.edu.au.
Data from the survey will be stored by the applicant on a password protected, electronic drive within the Adelaide Dental Hospital, University of Adelaide. The data may be available to the ASO (subject to ethical approval) for future relevant research for up to 5 years subsequent to publication of the results.
The study has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee at the University of Adelaide (approval number H-2018-207). If you have questions or problems associated with the practical aspects of your participation in the project or wish to raise a concern or complaint about the project, then you should consult the Principal Investigator. If you wish to speak with an independent person regarding a concern or complaint, the University’s policy on research involving human participants, or your rights as a participant, please contact the Human Research Ethics Committee’s Secretariat on:

Phone: +61 8 8313 6028
Email: hrec@adelaide.edu.au
Post: Level 4, Rundle Mall Plaza, 50 Rundle Mall, ADELAIDE SA 5000
Any complaint or concern will be treated in confidence and fully investigated. You will be informed of the outcome.

Please press 'NEXT' at the bottom of the page to start the survey.

Thank you in advance for your participation in this study.

Yours Sincerely
Dr Maurice J. Meade
Professor Craig Dreyer
Orthodontic Unit, Adelaide Dental Hospital, University of Adelaide.

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