The history of orthodontics in Switzerland is closely linked to the professionalisation of dentistry. With industrialisation and the simplified cultivation of sugar cane, the consumption of sugar became affordable for the general population. As a result, everyday sugar consumption increased significantly, leading to a dramatic rise in dental diseases. The demand for medical treatment of the chewing apparatus grew rapidly, and in the final third of the 19th century, professional treatment models began to emerge.

In 1886, the Verein Schweizer Zahnärzte (Association of Swiss Dentists) was founded. Its members were physicians who specialised in dental diseases and dentistry. At that time, aesthetic tooth correction was still in its infancy.

The beginnings of orthodontics

Friedrich Christian Kneisel was not only the personal dentist of Carl von Preussen, but also the first physician to publish orthodontic specialist literature with the title Der Schiefstand der Zähne (The Misalignment of Teeth). This was followed in 1880 by the first systematic textbooks on orthodontics by Norman Kingsley. The publications on tooth regulation by Joseph Fox were in use not only in England, but also internationally until the mid-19th century.

However, the title “father of orthodontics” is generally attributed to the American dentist Edward H. Angle (1855–1930). His systematic textbook on orthodontics was published in the German-speaking world in 1913 and had a lasting influence on the field.

The specialisation in orthodontics was initially controversial among dental professionals. Until 1946, Professor Rudolf Hotz from Zurich taught orthodontics as a sub-discipline of surgery. Only after that was he able to establish an independent department and teach orthodontics in combination with school dental care and preventive dentistry. He is considered one of the pioneers in this field. Together with Professor Paul Herren from Bern, he is regarded as one of the founders of the SKS.

In 1957, the Verband der Schweizerischen kieferorthopädischen Studiengruppe (Association of the Swiss Orthodontic Study Group) was founded. In 1976, it was renamed the Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Kieferorthopädie (Swiss Society of Orthodontics), abbreviated as SKS. This professional association is a sub-organisation of the Schweizerische Zahnärztegesellschaft (SSO) and represents the interests of dentists who specialise in orthodontics.

 

The development of orthodontics as a specialty

The formal specialisation of dentists in orthodontic services occurred relatively late, in the 1960s. In the United States, the separation between general dentistry and orthodontics had long been standard practice. In Switzerland, however, this development was initially met with some scepticism.

As public demand for orthodontic treatment continued to grow and university institutes became increasingly overstretched, the need for a dedicated orthodontic specialisation became apparent. The focus was not on achieving a perfect or ideal bite, but rather on providing effective treatment with relatively simple means – particularly for severe dental anomalies.

In the early years, the SSO imposed a rule that specialist recognition in orthodontics could not be publicly advertised. The concern was that visible specialisation might create status differences within the dental profession. It was not until orthodontics was included in the invalidity insurance system that the SSO, in 1979, approved the public recognition of orthodontic specialisation, allowing patients to be informed accordingly.

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Inclusion in the invalidity insurance system

With the introduction of invalidity insurance in 1960, certain orthodontic treatments were included in the implementing regulations. These covered so-called congenital conditions (Geburtsgebrechen) up to the age of 20. In cases of very severe jaw or dental anomalies, invalidity insurance covers the full cost of the necessary treatment, provided specific criteria are met and confirmed through radiological and clinical assessment.

Treatment after the age of 20 is also possible if there is a well-founded medical justification explaining why correction of the congenital condition was not feasible at an earlier stage.

The decision regarding eligibility for cost coverage by invalidity insurance lies with the Fachzahnarzt für Kieferorthopädie SSO (SSO-certified specialist in orthodontics). This assessment is automatically initiated during a detailed initial examination if a congenital anomaly is suspected.

Before the official introduction of the specialist title Kieferorthopäde SSO, the diagnosis and classification of congenital conditions were the responsibility of a specialist commission established in 1968 by the Swiss Society of Orthodontics.

Sources

https://www.wikiwand.com/de/Kieferorthop%C3%A4die

https://www.e-periodica.ch/cntmng?pid=tra-001:2008:2::202

http://www.archivesportaleurope.net/ead-display/-/ead/pl/aicode/CH-000133-4/type/fa/id/000118888

https://silo.tips/download/die-kieferorthopdie-im-kanton-solothurn

https://www.economiesuisse.ch/de/dossier-politik/die-zahnmedizinische-versorgung-der-schweiz

https://serval.unil.ch/resource/serval:BIB_AD34EF6F363D.P001/REF

http://docplayer.org/14245715-Sechs-kapitel-der-geschichte-zahnmedizin-und-des-zahnarztberufes-in-der-schweiz.html

IV (Invalidenversicherung) – Fachzahnarzt Kieferorthopädie Luzern (luzerner-kieferorthopaeden.ch)