Facilitation of implant provision in primary care.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate primary care practitioner participation in implant-supported mandibular overdenture (ISOD) provision.


METHODS
Postal questionnaire.


METHODS
Primary dental care, North East England 2007.


METHODS
Two hundred and ninety-five practitioners in North East England were sent questionnaires presenting a case-based scenario of a patient unable to manage a lower denture on an atrophic ridge. The questionnaire led them through the facilitation stages of ISOD provision, asking them to state their anticipated level of participation at each stage. Demographic details were also collected.


RESULTS
Two hundred and seventeen responses were received (74%). Most practitioners would consider the option of provision of ISODs (89%) in this case and all who considered would discuss the option with the patient. Of those offering to facilitate treatment, 66% (122/184) would never deliver themselves, with the majority (60%, 111/184) referring within primary care. Statistical analysis showed associations between demographics and behaviour.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of practitioners in this study area would facilitate ISOD provision in this case. Practitioners who are male and working in a practice where a framework for the provision of implants already exists are most likely to facilitate provision and/or provide an ISOD within primary care.
Field
J C
JC
School of Dental Sciences,Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne. james.field@ncl.ac.uk
Rousseau
N
N
Thomason
J M
JM
Exley
C
C
Finch
T
T
Steele
J G
JG
Ellis
J S
JS
D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003828:Denture, Overlay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D005792:General Practice, Dental / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible; D019239:Practice Patterns, Dentists' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013218:State Dentistry; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires