The workforce of professionals complementary to dentistry in the general dental services: a survey of general dental practices in the South West

Factors influencing the quality of undergraduate clinical restorative dentistry in the UK and ROI: the views of heads of units

“…11,12 Recent studies of the provision of dental practice and education together highlight shortfalls in workforce composition, recruitment, morale and retention together with a growing discontent among a dental profession that remains committed to training their next generation through high quality undergraduate education. [13][14][15] Perhaps unsurprisingly, therefore, this study concurs with some of the fi ndings of these previous studies in identifying factors impinging negatively on undergraduate training: increasing reliance on part-time staff and the inherent diffi culties this brings for communication and collegiality; and, increased competition between schools in recruiting from a diminishing pool of academically qualifi ed staff. The fi rst of these is not noted in the literature.…”

Perceptions, attitudes and opinions of general dental practitioners and dental nurses to the provision of lifelong learning for the dental team

“…Nearly 60% of dental nurse respondents held a dental nurse qualifi cation, which compares favourably with Sprod and Boyles' fi ndings of 50% 5 and an Oxford study 6 carried out in 2002, which found that 60% of dental nurses had no formal qualifi cations. Thirty percent of practices employed only qualifi ed dental nurses which again compares favourably with Burke et al's 5 study which showed that 18% of practices employed qualifi ed dental nurses only.…”

“…Sixty-seven percent of GDPs indicated that they had access to CAL programs compared to 25% of dental nurses. Burke et al 5 found low usage amongst older GDPs but in this study 68% of GDPs over 45 years of age indicated that they had access to CAL programs. There was some disagreement over frequency of team meeting with 89% of GDPs and 77% of dental nurses indicating that meetings were held in the practice for the whole dental team.…”

The changing skill mix – experiences on the introduction of the dental therapist into general dental practice

“…Wilson 23 has questioned whether there should be increased numbers of dentists or whether alternatively any increase in training places should be distributed between both dentists and DCPs. The previously quoted survey by Sprod and Boyles 25 concluded that longterm workforce planning is likely to remain an imprecise science. This takes us back to the fundamental questions about dental provision which prompted the experiment in which School Lane has participated.…”

“…Following their survey of PCDs in general practice, Sprod and Boyles concluded that more attention needs to be paid to the reasons for recruitment and retention difficulties among the dental team. 25 At School Lane we have tried hard to build a family friendly approach which has gone hand-in-hand with flexible working hours, which suit not only staff but also patients. We are currently struggling with the partial offset of the cost of Nursery Education against National Insurance Payments.…”