Opening the hearing in central London on Monday, Lydia Barnfather, representing the GDC, said comments made by Mew, who claims to help ‘change craniofacial structure’ on his YouTube channel, were ” abusive” for orthodontists. Barnfather told the professional conduct committee that Mew seeks to treat children with “head and neck appliances” and “lower and upper arch extensions” to help align teeth and shape the jaw. He said: “He believes that orthodontic treatment is wrongly based on the concept of genetic etiology, what is inherited, where he believes that craniofacial form should be treated in relation to environmental geology. “It is his belief that environmental factors led to a facial sway and the diagnosis of what he calls ‘cranial facial dystrophy.’ Barnfather continued: “What it intends to do and what it claims is to reverse the vertical growth of the face into horizontal growth, enlarging the face. “Thus his theory, the theory devised by this father, causes structural changes in the face, causes an expansion of the underlying cranial form of the face, including the nasal axillary complex, and creates space in both dental arches so that the teeth to naturally align. “Furthermore, claims ENT [ear, nose and throat] conditions, such as obstructive sleep apnea, are treated. “The GDC claims that this is not only too protracted, expensive, uncomfortable and extremely demanding on the child, but carries a risk of harm.” It heard that between September 2013 and May 2019, two children, referred to as Patient A and Patient B, were given advice and treatment. From the age of six, Patient A was advised to use maxillary and mandibular arch extension devices and neck wear to “significantly increase nasal capacity”, “improve the midface”, “change the swallowing pattern” and “to guide the development of the person”. Mew believed this would allow more space for the teeth and tongue, so “all 32 teeth align naturally without the need for fixed braces”, the court heard. He also suggested that Patient A undergo a tongue tie release, which he said would allow her to rest her tongue on the roof of her mouth and strengthen the jaw. A photograph showed Patient A’s upper and lower teeth tilted forward, that she had recession of the lower front teeth and a misaligned upper tooth after treatment, as well as ulceration. The court heard that a counselor was “so concerned” with what he saw in the girl’s mouth and the “damage the appliances were doing” that he referred Mew to a council. Patient B’s parents were advised to ‘widen both arches’, ‘wear a head covering at night’ and possibly ‘provide a ‘Myobrace’ or ‘training device”’. The boy was found to have recession of the lower front teeth by another doctor. Mew was accused of failing to “conduct appropriate monitoring” of their treatment and “should have known” it could cause harm. Barnfather said: “The GDC claims you should not have treated patients in the way you did.” He claimed that both children had “absolutely normal craniofacial development for their age” before treatment. He added that the treatment was “not clinically indicated” and that Mew “did not have sufficient objective evidence” that it would achieve its goals. Stephen Vullo, representing Mew, who denies the allegations, said Patient A’s mother was “totally supportive” of the treatment and was “very happy” with the outcome. Mew’s techniques have sparked an online trend of sharing results on social media platforms like Reddit. Now he faces malpractice charges for treating people with his “orthotropic” treatments, which he says could render many current orthodontic treatments unnecessary. Orthotropics refers to a technique of changing the shape of the face by correcting the resting position of the tongue and mouth. He will argue that there is “sufficient, objective evidence” to support his treatment, it was heard. Court adjourned until Monday next week.
