An Investigation into the Bitewing Radiographic Prescribing Patterns of West Kent General Dental Practitioners

Aims The primary aims of the study were to investigate the use of bitewing radiography within primary dental care and adherence to guidelines on bitewing radiography by general dental practitioners (GDPs) in the West Kent Primary Care Trust (PCT) area. Within the overall aims, the study had objectives to investigate the use of radiographic guidelines, audit and caries risk assessment, the influence of private and National Health Service (NHS) practice, and the influence of the demographic profile of the GDPs on these variables. Methods Data were gathered via a piloted self-completion questionnaire, circulated to all GDPs listed on the NHS Choices website as practising in the West Kent PCT area. Three mailings and follow-up telephone calls were used. The resulting data were entered into a statistical software database and, where relevant, statistically tested, using the chi-square test. Results Of 223 GDPs, 167 responded (75%). GDPs with a high NHS commitment were significantly less likely to follow Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK) guidance on prescribing bitewing radiographs for adults ( P<0.01) and children ( P<0.05) than were mainly private GDPs. Mainly NHS GDPs were more likely ‘always/mostly’ to follow National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidance (83 compared to 59) ( P<0.05) and also to risk-assess patients (83 compared to 62). Only 115 (71%) had carried out a radio graphic audit or peer review in the preceding three years. Those with postgraduate qualifications were more likely ( P<0.05) to carry out radiographic audit. Conclusions The study confirmed previous research reporting the under-use of radiography for caries detection and also the failure of some GDPs to comply with ionising radiation regulations. West Kent GDPs with a high NHS commitment were less likely to follow radiographic guidance than their private counterparts. This suggests that further efforts to disseminate information on radiographic guidelines and to educate GDPs are necessary to improve adherence with all aspects of radiography within general dental practice. Research into factors that influence GDPs’ decision-making with regards to radiographic prescription may further inform the profession as to the best methods to lead to behavioural change. The dental profession and its regulators need to make a concerted effort to educate and inform GDPs so that this behaviour is modified.

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An Audit of Antibiotic Prescribing by Vocational Dental Practitioners

Primary Dental Care ◽

10.1308/1355761041208476 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol os11 (3) ◽

pp. 77-80 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Nikolaus OA Palmer ◽

Paul A Batchelor

Keyword(s):

Formal Education ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Postgraduate Education ◽

Prescribing Patterns ◽

Undergraduate Teaching ◽

Antibiotic Prescribing ◽

Dental Practice ◽

General Dental Practice ◽

Dental Practitioners ◽

Training Schemes

Objectives To investigate antibiotic prescribing of a group of vocational dental practitioners (VDPs) and assess the implications for postgraduate education. Design A prospective audit was carried out by VDPs in general dental practice in 2003. Results A total of seven vocational training schemes comprising 64 VDPs took part. Most showed some awareness of the indications for therapeutic prescribing but the prescribing patterns of a number were influenced by the pressure of time and workload and difficulty in making a definitive diagnosis. There were wide variations in the therapeutic antibiotic regimens used, with most not conforming to the guidelines available. The majority of VDPs showed a good understanding of the requirement for prescribing prophylactic antibiotics for patients with a cardiac defect but a number also prescribed when there were no medical indications to do so. Conclusions From this audit it is clear that, on occasions, the prescribing of antibiotics by VDPs was not consistent with current knowledge and within the guidelines available. This calls into question the efficacy of present undergraduate teaching or the retention of knowledge. The results suggest that formal education on antibiotic prescribing in general dental practice should take place during the VT year.

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An Investigation into Dental Digital Radiography in Dental Practices in West Kent following the Introduction of the 2006 NHS General Dental Services Contract

Primary Dental Care ◽

10.1308/135576111795162893 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol os18 (2) ◽

pp. 73-82 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Peter W Mauthe ◽

Kenneth A Eaton

Keyword(s):

Digital Radiography ◽

Pearson Correlation ◽

Primary Care Trust ◽

Prescribing Patterns ◽

The West ◽

Chi Square ◽

Dental Services ◽

Dental Practitioners ◽

Before And After ◽

Dental Practices

Aims The primary aims of the study were to investigate the use of digital radiography within primary dental care practices in the West Kent Primary Care Trust (PCT) area and general dental practitioners’ (GDPs) self-reported change in radiographic prescribing patterns following the introduction of the nGDS contract in 2006. Methods Data were gathered via a piloted, self-completed questionnaire, and circulated to all GDPs listed on the National Health Service (NHS) Choices website as practising in the West Kent PCT area. There were three mailings and follow-up telephone calls. The resulting data were entered into a statistical software database and, where relevant, statistically tested, using the chi-square test and Pearson correlation coefficient. Results Of 223 GDPs, 168 (75%) responded. There were 163 usable questionnaires. The respondents represented 85% of the general dental practices in West Kent. Eighty (49%) respondents were using digital intra-oral radiography. Of those who used digital radiography, 44 (55%) reported that they used phosphor plate systems and 36 (45%) that they used direct digital sensors. Eighty-three (51%) had a panoramic machine in their practice, 46 of whom (55%) were using digital systems; of these, 32 (67%) were using a direct digital system. Seventy-one GDPs reported that they worked exclusively or mainly in private practice. Forty (56%) of these ‘mainly private’ GDPs reported that they used digital radiographic systems, whereas only 40 (44%) of the 89 ‘mainly NHS’ GDPs reported using digital radiographic systems. On average, mainly private GDPs made the transition to a digital radiographic system six months before mainly NHS GDPs. Of those who provided NHS dentistry before and after April 2006, only 18 (14%) reported taking fewer radiographs and seven (6%) taking more. Conclusions In February 2010, of the West Kent GDPs who responded to the questionnaire, just under 50% used digital radiography. Mainly private GDPs were more likely to use digital radiography than their mainly NHS counterparts. A link between digital radiography and increased prescription of radiographs was not specifically apparent from this study. There was no evidence that West Kent GDPs were taking fewer radiographs than they did prior to the introduction of the new GDS contract in April 2006. Research is needed to investigate whether the uptake of digital radiography by GDPs in the rest of the country is similar to that in West Kent.

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The Provision of Occlusal Splints in Primary Dental Care

Primary Dental Care ◽

10.1308/135576100322694196 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol os7 (3) ◽

pp. 109-113 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Kalpesh Patel ◽

Kenneth W Hemmings ◽

Simon Vaughan

Keyword(s):

Treatment Plan ◽

Acrylic Resin ◽

Dental Practice ◽

Occlusal Splint ◽

Occlusal Splints ◽

General Dental Practice ◽

General Dental Practitioner ◽

Dental Practitioners ◽

Wide Range ◽

Conservative Dentistry

Occlusal splints (Michigan splints, night/bite guards or bite-raising appliances) can be an effective, inexpensive and reversible treatment for a wide range of dental problems. Objective The aim of this study was to analyse retrospectively the provision of occlusal splint (‘Michigan’ type) in general dental practice, following a prescription by a restorative dental consultant. Method One hundred patients were recruited from consultant clinics in a department of conservative dentistry during 1995 and 1996. All patients were prescribed a maxillary, full-coverage, heat-cured, acrylic-resin splint (Michigan splint) as part of a treatment plan. An explanatory letter and questionnaire were sent to all patients and to their referring general dental practitioner in 1997 and 1998. Results A response rate of 79% was achieved in obtaining completed questionnaires from both patients and general dental practitioners. Of respondents 43% (34/79) received an occlusal splint of some form. A small proportion of the respondents (16.5% [13/79]) received a Michigan splint as prescribed. Irrespective of the type of appliance provided, most patients (82% [28/34]) found them helpful. Of those who did not receive an occlusal splint, 38% (17/45) of patients felt financial implications deterred them from obtaining an appliance. Other common reasons for non-provision included: patients felt that symptoms had improved (18% [8/45]) and patients did not agree with treatment (18% [8/45]). The general dental practitioners had similar opinions to their patients. Discussion These findings raise some serious doubts on the efficacy of consultant clinic advice in the prescription of occlusal splints in general dental practice. The financial and educational issues raised by this study will need to be addressed to improve service provision. Conclusion The results of this study indicate that 16.5% of patient respondents prescribed a Michigan splint at a consultant clinic received such an appliance in general dental practice.

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A general dental practice research network — philosophy, activities and participant views

BDJ ◽

10.1038/sj.bdj.4810198 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 194 (10) ◽

pp. 545-549 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

E J Kay ◽

N Ward ◽

D Locker

Keyword(s):

Research Network ◽

Practice Research ◽

Dental Practice ◽

General Dental Practice

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The history of the Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK)

Faculty Dental Journal ◽

10.1308/204268511x12988968522317 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 91-93

Author(s):

Shelagh Farrell

Keyword(s):

Good Practice ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Dental Practice ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Dental Surgery ◽

General Dental Practice ◽

Dental Practitioners ◽

History Of

The history of the Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK) starts with the Faculty of Dental Surgery proposing an examination for general dental practitioners – the Membership in General Dental Surgery (MGDS)– first held in 1979. Many of the first graduates were well-established, middle-aged practitioners with a fervour for standards and a will for recognition of good practice. This examination brought them no reward except self-esteem and camaraderie with like-thinking practitioners.

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Radiographic equipment and techniques used in general dental practice. A survey of general dental practitioners in England and Wales

Journal of Dentistry ◽

10.1016/s0300-5712(03)00013-7 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 31 (3) ◽

pp. 197-203 ◽

Cited By ~ 37

Author(s):

A Tugnait ◽

V Clerehugh ◽

P.N Hirschmann

Keyword(s):

Dental Practice ◽

England And Wales ◽

General Dental Practice ◽

Dental Practitioners

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Primary Dental Care in Japan: Organisation, Management and Delivery

Primary Dental Care ◽

10.1308/135576100322694240 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol os7 (3) ◽

pp. 121-123

Author(s):

Sneha Thakrar

Keyword(s):

Dental Care ◽

Work Ethic ◽

Business Management ◽

Western World ◽

Dental Practice ◽

General Dental Practice ◽

Dental Practitioners ◽

Organisation Management

The Japanese system of business management and work ethic has been the envy of many in the Western world and many have visited the country to study the methods employed for success. As winner of the Faculty of General Dental Practitioners (UK)'s Stafford-Miller Travelling Scholarship, I spent four weeks in Japan visiting various dental institutions and examining general dental practice.1

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Reflections on the Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK) at 20 years

Primary Dental Care ◽

10.1308/135576112802092170 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol os19 (3) ◽

pp. 128-130

Author(s):

Julian Scott ◽

Peter Lowndes ◽

Shelagh Farrell ◽

Ario Santini

Keyword(s):

Dental Care ◽

Dental Practice ◽

General Dental Practice ◽

Dental Practitioners ◽

Current Board

This paper presents the reflections of four colleagues who were instrumental in the foundation of the then Faculty of General Dental Practitioners (UK) in 1992. All four subsequently became members of the first Board of Faculty, of whom one became the second Dean of the Faculty and one became the first editor of Primary Dental Care. Two are members of the current Board. They were asked to reflect on six questions, which were: 1. What were the original hopes at the inception of the Faculty 20 years ago? 2. Have these hopes and expectations that you had 20 years ago been realised? 3. If the original aspirations have been met, what factors made this possible? 4. If some aspirations have not been realised, why? 5. What trends will shape dentistry in the next 20 years? 6. Where would you like to see the Faculty in 20 years’ time?

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