Sheldon Friel lecture 2026. Trials, quackery and social media: was it all a waste of time.

BACKGROUND

Over the past 40 years, randomized trials have become the mainstay of evidence-based orthodontics.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This paper represents the content of the Sheldon Friel lecture presented in 2026 at the Congress of the European Orthodontic Society. I outline the value of randomized trials and revisit the findings of some of the main studies I have completed. We must also consider the development of patient-relevant outcomes and core outcome sets. While we recognize the value of trials, we must also recognize that evidence-based care is undermined by claims from the orthodontic fringe.

CONCLUSIONS

Tension currently exists between the evidence-based orthodontic approach and the low-quality evidence provided by the orthodontic fringe. This paper provides an overview of these two views. The solution to this dilemma lies in carrying out high-level research and making the findings relevant and understandable to our patients.