OBJECTIVES: To investigate, by postal questionnaire, various aspects of primary dental care provision in the United Kingdom. Additionally, to compare the results of this survey with a similar survey completed four years previously. METHODS: A questionnaire containing 89 questions was sent to 1,000 general dental practitioners selected at random from databases of practitioners throughout the United Kingdom. Non-responders were sent another questionnaire after a period of four weeks had elapsed. RESULTS: Overall a response rate of 66.2% was achieved. Amalgam was the preferred material for the core build up of vital teeth for 65% of the respondents. Dentine pins were still being used by practitioners, with stainless steel pins being preferred by 34% of respondents. 39.7% of dentists that had graduated between 0-10 years previously reported using no pins. Indirect posts were still used most widely, by 55% of the practitioners in the study, with increasing use of fibre posts noted (34%). Addition cured silicone impression materials were still the most frequently used impression material (71%) with reduced use (10%) of condensation cured silicone impression materials recorded. Glass ionomer luting cements (48%) and zinc phosphate (28%) were the most commonly used luting cements. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this study, the following conclusions can be drawn: amalgam is still the preferred material for the core build-up of vital teeth; dentine pins are still used widely, but not by younger practitioners; fibre posts are being increasingly used by practitioners; addition cured silicone is still the most widely used impression material; traditional glass ionomer cements are still the most widely used luting cements; veneers are still the preferred indirect restoration for restoring anterior teeth; and CAD/CAM systems are increasingly being used by practitioners.
OBJECTIVES: To investigate, by postal questionnaire, various aspects of primary dental care provision in the United Kingdom. Additionally, to compare the results of this survey with a similar survey completed four years previously. METHODS: A questionnaire containing 89 questions was sent to 1,000 general dental practitioners selected at random from databases of practitioners throughout the United Kingdom. Non-responders were sent another questionnaire after a period of four weeks had elapsed. RESULTS: Overall a response rate of 66.2% was achieved. Amalgam was the preferred material for the core build up of vital teeth for 65% of the respondents. Dentine pins were still being used by practitioners, with stainless steel pins being preferred by 34% of respondents. 39.7% of dentists that had graduated between 0-10 years previously reported using no pins. Indirect posts were still used most widely, by 55% of the practitioners in the study, with increasing use of fibre posts noted (34%). Addition cured silicone impression materials were still the most frequently used impression material (71%) with reduced use (10%) of condensation cured silicone impression materials recorded. Glass ionomer luting cements (48%) and zinc phosphate (28%) were the most commonly used luting cements. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this study, the following conclusions can be drawn: amalgam is still the preferred material for the core build-up of vital teeth; dentine pins are still used widely, but not by younger practitioners; fibre posts are being increasingly used by practitioners; addition cured silicone is still the most widely used impression material; traditional glass ionomer cements are still the most widely used luting cements; veneers are still the preferred indirect restoration for restoring anterior teeth; and CAD/CAM systems are increasingly being used by practitioners.
Authors: Michael S McCracken; David R Louis; Mark S Litaker; Helena M Minyé; Thomas Oates; Valeria V Gordan; Don G Marshall; Cyril Meyerowitz; Gregg H Gilbert Journal: J Prosthodont Date: 2017-01-11 Impact factor: 2.752