Calibration course in the use of the peer assessment rating (par index)

The PAR Index is mandatory for recording orthodontic treatment within the NHS in England and Wales. This course enables participants to record the PAR Index with minimal variation.

This PAR course is the only accredited course in the UK.  The course has been running for over 30 years with consistent very positive feedback from participants.

Who it’s for

Full dental team.

What you’ll learn

• to highlight the benefit of using an objective measure to assess change and final outcome as a result of orthodontic intervention in terms of dental alignment and fit of the teeth.
• to be aware of the systematic approach (components and procedures) to record the PAR Index.
• to develop competence in using the PAR Index.
• to be able to record the PAR Index accurately.
• to understand the concept of improvement and acceptable outcome.
• to be able to categorise improvement in relation to the PAR nomogram and percentage reduction.
• to be calibrated in the use of the PAR Index. To reach an acceptable level of variation in scoring the index compared to the gold standard (mean difference 2 PAR points (systematic error) and 5 PAR points (random error).
• to highlight the benefits and drawbacks of the index.

Topics covered

Details will be provided on how to record the 5 components of the PAR Index:

• upper and lower anterior segments
• left and right buccal occlusions
• overjet
• open and overbite
• centreline
• how these can these accumulative and weighted scores can be used to assess the outcomes of treatment.

Benefits

To be consistent with minimal variation meeting standardised statistical thresholds.

To reach an acceptable level of variation in scoring the PAR Index compared to the international gold standard (mean difference 2 PAR points (systematic error), 5 PAR points (random error), show no bias with no score greater than +/-8 from the gold standard.

Teaching and useful information

Course materials (course book and video materials) will be sent two weeks before the course.

You will be required to watch two videos in relation to how to score the PAR Index and score a set of start and finish models and send their scores in advance of course.

This part of the course is undertaken at home or in your workplace and one hour of CPD will be designated for this.

The scores will be assessed for variation and scoring patterns prior to the course.

Small group teaching will be undertaken on the day of the course in groups of 10.

You will score two sets of PAR start and finish cases.  Course tutors will rotate after each batch, so participants will experience ten diverse start and finish treatments.

Location