A survey of the workload of dental therapists/hygienist-therapists employed in primary care settings

Abstract

This study suggests that primary care dentists working with dental therapists/hygienist-therapists are currently utilising only a small range of these professionals' skills. Consideration should be given as to whether to (a) meet the wishes of dentists by training singly-qualified hygienists, or (b) develop a system which encourages dentists to use dental therapists/hygienist-therapists differently.

Child protection: training and experiences of dental therapists

“…However, the response rate is comparable to a postal questionnaire of dental therapists and hygienists in the UK in 2006, which included two reminders. 15 The geographic distribution of respondents correlates well with general population levels in the UK 16 and is very similar to a postal survey of dental therapists/ hygiene-therapists conducted 2006. 15 …”

“…15 The geographic distribution of respondents correlates well with general population levels in the UK 16 and is very similar to a postal survey of dental therapists/ hygiene-therapists conducted 2006. 15 …”

“…This may refl ect the fact that the majority of DTs are still likely to be employees in the GDS or salaried practitioners. 15 A recurring theme in this study and in previous work 12,14,[17][18][19] is the role of uncertainty in preventing referral. As demonstrated here, the uncertainty can be related to knowledge of the condition, the processes for referral and the consequences of referral in the broadest sense.…”

Dental therapy in the United Kingdom: part 2. A survey of reported working practices

“…However, this survey also noted concerns about deskilling resulting from the perceived lack of opportunities to undertake the full range of therapy duties, an issue also raised in a recent paper. 13 The majority of therapists work at more than one site, even though 53% work part-time. The proportion working part-time was identical to that found in 2000.…”

Job satisfaction among dually qualified dental hygienist-therapists in UK primary care: a structural model

“…8,20 A second study analysed day-book proformas from 209 therapists and hygienist-therapists. 21 The authors conclude that dentists in the GDS were delegating a preventive role to hygienist-therapists which could equally be fulfilled by singly-qualified dental hygienists, thereby utilising only a small range of their skills. Two alternative solutions are suggested: meet the wishes of dentists by training more singly-qualified hygienists, or encourage dentists to use dental therapists/hygienist-therapists differently.…”