Top UK dentists have blasted the makers of the Channel 4 hit show Ugly Betty.
Specialists at the British Orthodontic Society slammed the US-made comedy for the 'detrimental' portrayal of wire braces.
The series follows the exploits of goofy wannabe Betty Suarez, battling to make a career in the beauty-obsessed fashion magazine industry.
Now in its third season on Channel 4, Betty - played by actress America Ferrera - is still wearing heavy "train track" braces.
But according to dentists train track braces are very seldom prescribed to adults and even then are not worn for more than two years.
And UK orthodontists say they are worried the programme could discourage young viewers from seeking corrective dental treatment.
Tracy Posner, of the British Orthodontic society, blasted programme bosses for being 'irresponsible' in branding braces ugly.
She said: "It is irresponsible of the programme makers to portray Betty as 'ugly' because she wears prominent braces.
"Ugly Betty is in its third year on our TV screens and Betty remains in over-exaggerated, heavy 'train-track' braces.
"This is not a true reflection of orthodontic practice. It is highly unlikely an adult would wear braces beyond two years.
"Betty's braces are certainly intended to be seen by viewers as damaging to her appearance.
"People who wear braces are not ugly. People considering treatment should not be put off by such a stereotype.
"Many young people and adults see wearing braces as a right of passage, and enjoy the transformation."
Specialist Orthodontist Dr Colin Wallis condemned the inaccurate portrayal of Betty's braces.
He said: "Braces for adults and children are considerably more discreet than what is being depicted in Ugly Betty.
"There are many adults in the UK now wearing braces that are either completely clear, or are placed behind the teeth, so you may not even know that your best friend is wearing them.
"It is completely inappropriate to associate braces with being 'ugly', just as glasses have previously been an object of ridicule.
"TV soaps may not operate in 'real time' but Ugly Betty has been in braces for over 3 years.
"As a result of tremendous progress in recent years in orthodontic materials and technology, many adult treatments can now be completed in less than a year.
"It is unusual for the most complex of cases to take longer than two years."
Tim Newton, Professor of Psychology as Applied to Dentistry Oral Health Services Research & Dental Public Health King's College London Dental Institute said new research indicates that people with braces are considered "less intelligent".
Prof Newton said: "A student of mine, Huw Jeremiah, has done some work looking at public perceptions of adults wearing orthodontic devices.
"Essentially he found that adults wearing stainless steel brackets were considered less intelligent than adults with no visible brace, so there are social impacts of wearing braces.
"There is a long body of psychological research that has found that we tend to think that ‘beautiful is good’ - that is that attractive people are more popular, socially skilled and intelligent than less attractive people."
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