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

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?

Primary Dental Care in Japan: Organisation, Management and Delivery

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

The Provision of Occlusal Splints in Primary Dental Care

2000 ◽  
Vol os7 (3) ◽  
pp. 109-113 ◽  
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.

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

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.

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

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.

An Evaluation of Attitudes of Midlands Female Dentists to General Dental Practice: Will it Impact upon the Future Delivery of Primary Dental Care?

2001 ◽  
Vol os8 (2) ◽  
pp. 71-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Dental Care ◽  
Dental Practice ◽  
Net Income ◽  
Work Patterns ◽  
General Dental Practice ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Efficient Delivery ◽  
Stress At Work ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Manpower Shortage

Introduction Both anecdotal evidence and research indicate that there is a developing manpower shortage in the delivery of dental care in the UK. With the predicted increase in registered female dentists, it is possible that future changes in work patterns might occur. If they are occurring, it is important to understand the needs of these female dentists in order to maximise efficient delivery of dental care. The aim of the study was to identify any gender differences that might exist in attitudes to the delivery of primary dental care within general dental practice in the Midlands. Method A Likert-style questionnaire was sent to all private and registered NHS GDPs who worked within the areas covered by three Midland health authorities. Results The results indicated that the clinical practice of female GDPs appears to involve less private work than their male counterparts and they seem less inclined than male GDPs to proactive development of private practise. Females were less likely than males to be principals and also less likely than males to employ other dentists. Female GDP attitudes towards management, net income and stress at work appears to differ to those of their male counterparts. There was little difference in gender attitude towards professional ethics and maintenance of clinical standards.

scholarly journals The estimation of patients' views on organizational aspects of a general dental practice by general dental practitioners: a survey study

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rutger E Sonneveld ◽  
Michel Wensing ◽  
Ewald M Bronkhorst ◽  
Gert-Jan Truin ◽  
Wolter G Brands
Keyword(s):  
Survey Study ◽  
Dental Practice ◽  
General Dental Practice ◽  
Dental Practitioners

scholarly journals The prevalence and nature of recent self-reported changes in general dental practice in a sample of English general dental practitioners

BDJ ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 197 (7) ◽  
pp. 401-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Watt ◽  
P McGlone ◽  
D Evans ◽  
S Boulton ◽  
J Jacobs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dental Practice ◽  
General Dental Practice ◽  
Dental Practitioners

Acorns to oak trees: the FGDP(UK)'s restorative dentistry programme

2010 ◽  
Vol 92 (5) ◽  
pp. 161-161
Author(s):  
Paul Brunton
Keyword(s):  
Dental Care ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Dental Practice ◽  
Restorative Dentistry ◽  
General Dental Practice ◽  
Oak Trees ◽  
The University ◽  
University Of Manchester

There has always been a need for and demand by primary dental care practitioners to develop their skills in general restorative dentistry. A certificate course in restorative dentistry was an idea that followed from a conversation I had many years ago with the late Malcolm Pendlebury, a previous Dean of the Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK). I was working at the University of Manchester at the time and initially it was thought that the certificate, now a diploma, would be run by the university though this did not prove possible. The FGDP(UK) was approached and it agreed to develop both the training programme and the qualification.

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