Practitioner/practice characteristics associated with dental procedure use: National Dental PBRN [poster] Conference Poster uri icon
Overview
abstract
  • Objectives: Describe practitioner and practice characteristics of general dentist practitioners (GPs) enrolled in the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network, and examine associations between characteristics and dental procedures performed. Methods: Practitioners (dentists and hygienists) enroll by visiting http://NationalDentalPBRN.org and completing an Enrollment Questionnaire. Among other items, information is collected about practitioner (gender, years since graduation) and practice (location, patient insurance, ownership). GPs report whether and how often they perform certain dental procedures: non-implant restorative, implants, removable prosthetics, extractions, periodontal (non-surgical and surgical), endodontic (anteriors/premolars and molars), esthetic, orthodontic. Associations between characteristics and procedure use were examined by two-way tables and tested using Fisher’s exact test. Results: As of September-10-2013, 4,094 practitioners enrolled; 2,883 are dentists and 2,281 are GPs. Among GPs, 27% are female; mean age=51years. Males were more likely to perform 8 of the 10 procedures than females. For example, 66% of males perform implants vs. 50% of females (p<0.001); 36% of males perform surgical periodontal therapy vs. 20% of females (p<0.001). “Years since graduation” was associated with 7 of the 10 procedures. For example, removable prosthetic procedures are conducted by 88% of GPs with <5years experience vs. 95% of GP with more experience (p=0.004). However, endodontic therapy (molars) was performed more often by GPs with <5years experience (72%) than those with more experience (61%; p=0.009). All procedures except extractions and non-surgical periodontal therapy were less common in practices where 25% or less of patients had private insurance. Practice location was also associated with dental procedures, with GPs working in inner city locations less likely to perform many procedure types. Conclusions: The likelihood of GPs performing certain procedure types is associated with both practitioner and practice characteristics, including practitioner gender, years of experience, location, and insurance status of their patients.

  • publication date
  • 2014
  • Research
    keywords
  • Dental Care
  • Dentist's Practice Patterns
  • Dentistry