The establishment and development of new dental practices.
The aims of this study were to examine the factors helping and hindering the establishment of dental practices in locations not previously supporting a dental practice. A method of identifying new practices, and measuring the growth of the practices was developed. Subsequently, 44 eligible new practices were identified in five FPC areas around Manchester and the practitioners asked to participate in the study. Thirty-one dentists provided usable data, and the 19 practices which had been established for at least 2 years formed the study group for this paper. The influencing factors in starting their practices were assessed by means of a postal questionnaire; the growth of the practices was measured by the monthly throughput of estimates (courses of treatment). The establishment of a new dental practice was divided into three processes: locating the practice, setting up the practice, and the growth of the practice. Of the 19 practices that had been open for at least 2 years, the choice of practice location was usually based on local knowledge, with 12 dentists (63%) having previously lived within 10 miles of the practice. Only eight dentists (42%) received outside help in locating their practice. On the whole, there was no problem with the availability of property, with 14 dentists (74%) occupying their first choice of premises. When setting up their dental practice, 19 dentists (100%) obtained finance, and the financial institutions were generally found to be helpful. Planning permission was sought by 17 dentists (89%) and of those, 12 (63%) obtained it within 2 months. Nineteen dentists (100%) used builders and six (31%) of those experienced delays.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
E J
EJ
Gankerseer
M A
MA
Lennon
D003752:Dental Health Services / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D004739:England; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D011215:Practice Management, Dental / Q000191:economics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires