Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2440/114183
Citations
Scopus Web of Science® Altmetric
?
?
Type: Journal article
Title: Variations in Australian dental therapy practice by practitioner and workplace characteristics
Author: Teusner, D.
Satur, J.
Gardner, S.
Amarasena, H.
Brennan, D.
Citation: International Dental Journal, 2018; 68(4):235-244
Publisher: Wiley
Issue Date: 2018
ISSN: 0020-6539
1875-595X
Statement of
Responsibility: 
Dana N. Teusner, Julie Satur, Suzanne P. Gardner, Najith Amarasena and David S. Brennan
Abstract: Introduction: Understanding dental therapy practice across clinical settings is useful for education and service planning. This study assessed if dental therapy service provision varied according to practitioner and workplace characteristics. Methods: Members of professional associations representing dental therapists (DT) and oral health therapists (OHT) were posted a self-complete survey collecting practitioner and workplace characteristics, together with clinical activity on a selfselected typical day of practice. Differences in service provision according to characteristics were assessed by comparing mean services per patient visit. Negative binomial regression models estimated adjusted ratios (R) of mean services per patient. Results: The response rate was 60.6%. Of practitioners registered as an OHT or a DT, 80.0% (n = 500) were employed in general clinical practice. Nearly one-third of OHT and nearly two-thirds of DT worked in public sector dental services. Patterns of service provision varied significantly according to practice sector and other characteristics. After adjusting for characteristics, relative to private sector, public sector practitioners had higher provision rates of fissure sealants (R = 3.79, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 2.84–5.06), restorations (R = 3.78, 95% CI: 2.94–4.86) and deciduous tooth extractions (R = 3.58, 95% CI: 2.60–4.93) per patient visit, and lower provision rates of oral health instruction (R = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.76–0.98), fluoride applications (R = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.33–0.56), scale and cleans (R = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.34–0.45) and periodontal services (R = 0.20, 95% CI: 0.14–0.28) per patient visit. Conclusion: Differences in service provision according to sector indicate that OHT and DT adapt to differing patient groups and models of care. Variations may also indicate that barriers to utilising the full scope of practice exist in some settings.
Keywords: Dental therapists; oral health therapists; dental practice; dental practitioners; mid-level dental providers; dental practice management
Rights: © 2018 FDI World Dental Federation
DOI: 10.1111/idj.12382
Grant ID: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1031310
Published version: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/idj.12382
Appears in Collections:Aurora harvest 3
Dentistry publications

Files in This Item:
There are no files associated with this item.


Items in DSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.