Evaluation of computer literacy of general dental practitioners

During the last years, practice management software, electronic oral health records, intra oral cameras, digital radiography and chair-side CAD/CAM systems have become widely available. Successful use of these technologies relies on the level of computer knowledge and skills of the practitioners. Objectives: To assess the competences and attitudes of dental professionals towards information technology (IT) in general, in continuing professional development, and in clinical practice. Methods: A group of ninety nine general dental practitioners in the Sheffield area were targeted by means of a questionnaire survey during their attendance at a university-run GDP-postgraduate study day. The questions in the survey were divided into 5 topics “demographic”, “computer hardware”, “generic computer skills”, “computers & study”, and “computers in clinical practice”. Participation in this study was voluntary and anonymous. Results: The overall response rate was 82%. The results indicate that 95% of the practitioners had access to a computer and the Internet. Predominantly the respondents acquired their current computer skills through personal experience. Dental practitioners were most familiar with word processing, e-mail and web browsing and least familiar with the use of online discussion tools. Seventy seven percent of the respondents have used the computer for study. In regards to the clinical applications, the respondents were most competent with the use of electronic oral health records (58%) and least competent with CAD/CAM systems (6%). Conclusions: Access of dentist's to information technology was excellent. However, the transferable (generic) computer skills were identified as a possible barrier for the successful implementation of the technology. The competence of the respondents in the use of the IT applications in clinical practice was also limited.