Clinical research is often preformed in university settings. Objective: To identify similarities and differences in the age and gender of orthodontic patients seen in a Univeristy clinic compared to private practice . Methods: Using commercially available practice management software (OrthoSoft, Plano TX), birthdate (BD), gender (G), and date first seen (DFS) were abstracted from the electronic charts of 3,246 patients who came to the CWRU orthodontic clinic and 24,232 patients from 13 private US orthodontic practices (PP). All patients were seen between 1996 and 2000. Results: The mean age (DFS - BD) of all patients visiting the university clinic was 18.3 ± 11.3 years, compared to 17.3 ± 10.3 years for private practice. For children (<19 yrs.) at CWRU (n=2,360) the mean was 12.5±2.8 yrs compared to 12.1±3.1 yrs in PP (n=17,751). For Children, Median values were 12.5 yrs CWRU and 12.0 PP, modes were 13 yrs CWRU and 11 yrs PP. For adults (>=19 yrs) the CWRU mean (n=886) was 33.5±11.3 yrs compared to 31.3±9.7 yrs for PP (n=6,481). Adult medians were 31.0 CWRU and 22.2 PP with modes of 36 yrs CWRU and 20 yrs PP. All mean differences were statistically significant at the p<=.05 level. Both clinical settings saw primarily children (73% CWRU, 71% PP) with slightly more females (60% CWRU, 61% PP). Conclusions: Patients visiting this university clinic are slightly older than those seen in the 13 private practices. The percentage of children and the gender mix is similar.

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