Teaching of direct posterior resin composite restorations in UK dental therapy training programmes.
OBJECTIVE
With the numbers of dental therapists involved in the delivery of dental care within the UK on the increase, and the trend towards the use of direct resin composites (composites) for the restoration of posterior teeth, this study was undertaken to describe the teaching of posterior composites in dental therapy training programmes in the UK. A secondary aim was to identify differences in techniques for posterior composites taught within these dental therapy training programmes.


METHODS
In 2008/9, a questionnaire seeking information on the teaching of posterior composites was distributed by email to 13 centres with dental therapy training programmes in the UK. This questionnaire sought information relating to the teaching of direct posterior composites to dental therapy students, including the amounts of preclinical and clinical teaching in respect of deciduous and permanent teeth, numbers of restorations placed, contraindications to placement, and details in respect of operative techniques.


RESULTS
Ten completed responses were received (response rate = 77%). In ten programmes, student dental therapists received clinical training in the placement of composite restorations in the occlusal surfaces of premolar and permanent molar teeth, and nine programmes included such training for two and three surface occlusoproximal restorations. The mean proportions of posterior restorations placed clinically by the trainee dental therapists in permanent teeth using dental amalgam and composite were 52% and 46% respectively (range: amalgam = 20-95%; composite = 5-70%).


CONCLUSIONS
With the exception of one programme, the teaching of posterior composites is a well established element of dental therapy training. Some variations were noted in the teaching of clinical techniques between respondent training centres. It is suggested that to ensure harmony in approaches to treatments provided by graduated therapists that training centres look to relevant consensus documents, such as those of the British Association for the Teaching of Conservative Dentistry. The findings of our study are important for the future provision of oral healthcare, given the growing evidence base in favour of minimally invasive dentistry.
Lynch
C D
CD
Tissue Engineering & Reparative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK. lynchcd@cardiff.ac.uk
Wilson
N H F
NH
D001641:Bicuspid / Q000473:pathology; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D000075202:Contraindications; D003479:Curriculum; D003723:Dental Amalgam / Q000737:chemistry; D003727:Dental Auxiliaries / Q000193:education*; D001840:Dental Bonding / Q000379:methods; D003736:Dental Cavity Lining / Q000379:methods; D003737:Dental Cavity Preparation / Q000379:methods; D003756:Dental Hygienists / Q000193:education; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D003775:Dental Polishing / Q000379:methods; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000145:classification / Q000379:methods*; D003814:Dentistry, Operative / Q000193:education*; D005178:Faculty; D005249:Fees and Charges; D006801:Humans; D008434:Matrix Bands; D008963:Molar / Q000473:pathology; D016733:Rubber Dams; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000473:pathology; D006113:United Kingdom
D003188:Composite Resins; D003764:Dental Materials; D003723:Dental Amalgam