Objectives This study explored the perceptions and attitudes of qualified UK dental therapists (DTs) to act in a diagnostic role in the dental care of paediatric patients. Methods A mixed methods study. An electronic questionnaire was sent out to the members of associations and closed social networking groups for qualified DTs across the UK. The questionnaire explored the training, clinical experience and working practices of the participants and measured their agreements with applicable statements using Likert scale scores. Semi-structured interviews were also undertaken to explore how UK DTs perceived a diagnostic role for them and what barriers and facilitators they experienced. Results A total of 155 questionnaire responses were returned and 11 interviews conducted. Participants were mostly women (94.8%) with a broad range of working experience, with a mean experience of 9.5 years (± 8.8 standard deviation [SD]) (range: 1-42 years). From the questionnaires, when asked to score agreement on a Likert scale from 0-5, DTs agreed that in a diagnostic role, they could increase access to dentistry for patients and a high proportion were in agreement that they had the knowledge to carry out examination (mean = 4.43 ± 0.87 SD), diagnosis (mean = 4.37 ± 0.90 SD) and care planning for paediatric patients (mean = 2.74 ± 1.32 SD). The interviews yielded three qualitative supra themes: 'working in the UK as a DT today'; 'the perceptions of dental therapists on acting in a diagnostic role in paediatric dental care'; and 'barriers and facilitators to acting in a diagnostic role' and within these, eight major themes were identified. Conclusion Within the limitations of a small sample who were representative of the workforce demographic and educational structures, we found that DTs felt that if they were to act in a diagnostic role, it would improve access to dental services benefitting patients, dentists and the DT profession. DTs identified and explored barriers and facilitators to a diagnostic role. Change is required to overcome these barriers in order to support DTs to act in a front-line diagnostic role.

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Introduction Dental Therapists (DTs) are members of the dental team with a wide scope of practice, who support the provision of operative clinical care to several patient groups including those with vulnerabilities. One such group of vulnerable people is older patients who are often unable to attend general dental practices to access their dental care. A domiciliary or “home visit” may be required to deliver this care in a non-clinical setting. Aim To identify how dental therapists and dental therapy educators working in Southern England perceive domiciliary dental services and to explore what dental therapists and dental therapy educators consider to be the possible role of dental therapists in providing domiciliary dentistry. Method A qualitative research design using a thematic approach. Focus groups were conducted with different cohorts of dental therapists in different areas of Southern England between November 2022 and January 2023. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Results A total of five focus groups were held representing a diverse community of therapists. A number of different themes emerged including, knowledge of the domiciliary patient, barriers to the provision of domiciliary care for DTs, barriers to accessing domiciliary dentistry for patients, overcoming barriers, and benefits of providing domiciliary care Conclusion The concept of DTs providing domiciliary care was in general viewed positively. Several perceived barriers were reported including contractual, education and training issues. These barriers would need to be overcome to improve dental workforce skill-mix in delivery of domiciliary dental care.