Provision of diagnostic and preventive services in general dental practice

dc.contributor.authorBrennan, D.
dc.contributor.authorSpencer, A.
dc.date.issued2003
dc.descriptionCopyright © 2003 FDI World Dental Press
dc.description.abstractObjective: Diagnosis and prevention are among the most frequently provided services in Australian private general dental practice, and have increased over recent times. The aims of this study were to examine the provision of examinations, radiographs, prophylaxis and topical fluoride, and to assess whether these services varied by patient, visit and oral health characteristics. Basic Research Design: Data were collected by a mailed survey of a random sample of dentists from each State/Territory in Australia in 1998-99 with a response rate of 71%. Main Outcome Measures: Data were collected from a log of service items provided on a typical day. Results: Multivariate analyses of services showed that emergency visits were associated with higher rates [RR = Rate ratio, 95%CI] of radiographs (RR = 1.32, 1.06-1.66) but lower rates of prophylaxis (RR = 0.37, 0.29-0.48) and topical fluoride (RR = 0.20, 0.08-0.47) compared to non-emergency visits. Capital city patients had a higher rate of topical fluoride (RR = 2.06, 1.17-3.64) services than non-capital city patients. Patients with decayed teeth had a lower rate of prophylaxis services (RR = 0.82, 0.68-0.99) than patients with no decay. Compared to the reference of caries, patients with aesthetic problems had lower rates of radiographs (RR = 0. 19, 0.08-0.47) and topical fluoride (RR = 0.24, 0.08-0.71), those with cuspal fracture/failed restoration also had lower rates of radiographs (RR = 0.54, 0.37-0.80) and topical fluoride (RR = 0.52, 0.28-0.95), those with denture problems had lower rates of examinations (RR = 0.53, 0.32-0.87), radiographs (RR = 0.05, 0.01-0.28), prophylaxis (RR = 0.13, 0.04-0.37) and topical fluoride (RR = 0.04, 0.01-0.32), those with periodontal disease had higher rates of examinations (RR = 1.45, 1.13-1.85) and prophylaxis (RR = 2.39, 1.79-3.19), those with pulpal/periapical infection had lower rates of examination (RR = 0.55, 0.42-0.74) and prophylaxis (RR = 0.36, 0.19-0.66), but higher rates of radiographs (RR = 1.92, 1.48-2.50), those with recall/maintenance care had higher rates of examinations (RR = 2.23, 1.85-2.69), prophylaxis (RR = 2.63, 2.05-3.38) and topical fluoride (RR = 2.88, 1.76-4.70), while those with other diagnoses had lower rates of prophylaxis (RR = 0.60, 0.37-0.97) and topical fluoride (RR = 0.28, 0.10-0.77) services. Conclusions: Radiographs may often be used to confirm disease rather than in early detection, and prevention was mainly provided to asymptomatic patients in routine maintenance schedules. Many emergency patients and those with oral diseases present missed the benefits of prevention.
dc.description.urihttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=pubmed&uid=12688597&cmd=showdetailview&indexed=google
dc.identifier.citationCommunity Dental Health, 2003; 20(1):5-10
dc.identifier.issn0265-539X
dc.identifier.issn0265-539X
dc.identifier.orcidBrennan, D. [0000-0002-7888-0920]
dc.identifier.orcidSpencer, A. [0000-0002-3462-7456]
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2440/3917
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherF D I World Dental Press Ltd
dc.subjectHumans
dc.subjectPeriodontal Diseases
dc.subjectDental Pulp Diseases
dc.subjectTooth Fractures
dc.subjectFluorides, Topical
dc.subjectRadiography, Dental
dc.subjectDMF Index
dc.subjectMultivariate Analysis
dc.subjectOdds Ratio
dc.subjectDental Restoration Failure
dc.subjectDental Restoration, Permanent
dc.subjectDiagnosis, Oral
dc.subjectDental Prophylaxis
dc.subjectPreventive Dentistry
dc.subjectDentures
dc.subjectGeneral Practice, Dental
dc.subjectAdolescent
dc.subjectAdult
dc.subjectAged
dc.subjectMiddle Aged
dc.subjectDental Health Services
dc.subjectUrban Health Services
dc.subjectDelivery of Health Care
dc.subjectAustralia
dc.subjectFemale
dc.subjectMale
dc.titleProvision of diagnostic and preventive services in general dental practice
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

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