The Provision of Occlusal Splints in Primary Dental Care

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

Primary Dental Care ◽

10.1177/2050168411os1800304 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol os18 (3) ◽

pp. 107-114

Author(s):

Peter W Mauthe ◽

Kenneth A Eaton

Keyword(s):

Behavioural Change ◽

Primary Care Trust ◽

Prescribing Patterns ◽

Caries Detection ◽

Practice Research ◽

Dental Practice ◽

The West ◽

Bitewing Radiography ◽

General Dental Practice ◽

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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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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Generalised Hypercementosis: A Case Report

Primary Dental Care ◽

10.1308/1355761042224710 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol os11 (4) ◽

pp. 119-122 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Rachel Seed ◽

Paul P Nixon

Keyword(s):

Case Report ◽

Systemic Disease ◽

Disease Process ◽

Unusual Presentation ◽

Dental Practice ◽

Dental Practitioner ◽

General Dental Practice ◽

General Dental Practitioner

The following case report describes the clinical and radiographical presentation of a female who attended a general dental practice as a new patient. The patient was diagnosed with generalised hyper-cementosis, possibly attributable to oral neglect. Hypercementosis is associated with a number of aetiological factors, which may be local or systemic in nature. It is important that the general dental practitioner is aware of these factors and is able to distinguish presentation due to a local cause from that of a systemic disease process. The aims of this paper are to illustrate an unusual presentation of hypercementosis and to discuss the radiographic differentiation that led to diagnosis.

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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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The Technology of Obtaining Flexible Dentures in Dental Practice, Theoretical and Practical Aspects

Acta Medica Transilvanica ◽

10.2478/amtsb-2021-0018 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (1) ◽

pp. 67-69

Author(s):

Mădălina Adriana Malița ◽

Camelia Ionescu ◽

Viorel Ștefan Perieanu ◽

Mihai Burlibașa ◽

Magdalena Natalia Dina ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dental Practice ◽

Dental Practitioners ◽

Wide Range

Abstract Flexible dentures are an increasingly interesting prosthetic alternative both for dental practitioners (dentists and dental technicians), but also for patients. This type of prosthetic restoration can rehabilitate a wide range of edentulous, but the financial effort that patients have to make is more consistent than in the case of a partial acrylic dentures. In this study, we will try to present some essential aspects in the technology of creating flexible partial dentures.

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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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Clinical Governance. What is it and how can it be Delivered in Dental Practices?

Primary Dental Care ◽

10.1308/135576104773711327 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol os11 (2) ◽

pp. 57-61

Author(s):

Yann G Maidment

Keyword(s):

Literature Search ◽

Clinical Governance ◽

Dental Practice ◽

Dental Practitioner ◽

General Dental Practice ◽

General Dental Practitioner ◽

Dental Practices

This paper describes how a Scottish general dental practitioner carried out a literature search to inform his teaching on the topic of clinical governance in general dental practice. He found relatively few publications on the topic, most of which were descriptive rather than reports of scientific studies. Nevertheless, he has used the results of the literature search to inform his teaching. His opinion on what clinical governance is and how it can be introduced follows a brief description of the literature search.

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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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