Routine oral examination: differences in characteristics of Dutch general dental practitioners related to type of recall interval

Abstract

Dutch GDPs differ in the way they deal with the determination of recall interval frequency. These are also specific differences in performance and opinions regarding ROE. With the changing prevalence of oral diseases and the skewed distribution within populations, further research is advocated on consistent decision making to determine the most appropriate recall policy in preventing oral disease.

Routine oral examinations in primary care: Which predictors determine what is done?

“…Based on previous research, 10,23 GDPs attitude towards periodontal screening showed to be a salient determinant of individualised assessment and assignment of variable recalls. In an elderly population (65% of the patients were older than 35 years of age), the risk of developing a periodontal condition is increased.…”

“…The explorative nature of this clinical case recording study provides a better insight in individual behaviour of GDPs, compared to data obtained from general ROE-questionnaires. 23,28 To measure clinical performance, several data sources, including their flaws, have been described, including medical record reviews, and health insurance company databases. [34][35][36] Although not formally validated, it leads to reasonably valid recording.…”

“…Unfortunately, the research evidence on risk factors for the onset of oral disease is limited, so risk assessment is mainly based on GDP's clinical judgements. [16][17][18] Perhaps not surprisingly, ROEs are not only determined by oral health factors, as recommended, but they may also be influenced by other factors including dentists' diagnostic working style, 19 availability of manpower in dentistry, 20 practice characteristics, GDP-orientation in delivering oral care, [21][22][23][24][25] patient's attitude towards oral care 26 and financial incentives organised in society. 27 Little systematic research has been done, however, on such factors.…”

Routine oral examination: Clinical vignettes, a promising tool for continuing professional development?

“…General dental practitioners (GDPs) still assign standardised recall periods for all regular attendees. 9,10 Fuelled by quality of care aspects, GDPs are being confronted with new patient-tailored surveillance approaches. They have not been trained to screen systematically high-and lowrisk patients.…”

A cluster randomised controlled trial in primary dental care based intervention to improve professional performance on routine oral examinations and the management of asymptomatic impacted third molars: study protocol

“…This implies that many healthy individuals are scheduled for routine oral screening. In 2000, 50% of the Dutch GDPs assigned all their regular patients for ROE twice a year [2], irrespective of level of risk for oral disease. The efficiency of this systematic monitoring system is still disputed in The Netherlands, as well as internationally [3-10].…”