The aao & ada recommend 1st orthodontic evaluation age 7. why do so many gp's tell the parents, "wait, not yet." ?

Permanent teeth: Probably because they feel waiting for the permanent teeth to come out first and permanent alignment done at that point would be best? It is unclear, because you are right, the recommendations are at age 7-8.

Understanding: Unfortunately most gp's don't adhere to ao's recommendations. So much can be done with interceptive ortho these days.

Waiting maybe OK.: The reality is that many orthodontic problems can in fact wait until the late mixed dentition. Problems that should be evaluated early include anterior and posterior crossbites, habits resulting in dentoalveolar changes, and excessive overjet where potential trauma or psychosocial concerns maybe an issue.

Need to educate: Perhaps the local orthodontists have not educated the dentists as to why it is important to send them in at age 7 for an evaluation.

Education: I don't think we as orthodontists are educating our referring dentists as to the advantages of that orthodontic evaluation at age 7. Considering that most orthodontists will not charge for that initial exam there really is no good reason not to follow the aao's recommendation.

Development-tx needs: It is likely that the general dentist does not feel that any treatment is necessary at this time; however, the aao recommendation is really to allow an orthodontics to screen for developing problems. All children develop differently; early examination is the best way to determine if intervention is advised.

Training: Part of an orthodontist's specialty training is how to recognize developmental problems. Orthodontists prefer to see patients for 1st screening exam age 7...There's lots that can be done for some children to reduce or simplify tween-age corrective treatment. It's a window of opportunity scenario. Initial ortho exam often complimentary, so take advantage of it.

GPs Are Ortho Aware: Few 7 y.o. children need orthodontic evaluation by an orthodontist if the general dentist has had some training in orthodontics. More GPs know ortho and CF growth norms now than ever and thus orthodontists aren't really the first line of eval/treatment(in those cases).Most referrals will be severe CF cases, not a very high % of all 7 y.o.