Objectives: The Oral Health Specialist Library is an electronic resource within the National Library for Health, providing rapid access to quality assured information to assist the use of evidence-based practice. To ensure the Library meets the needs of its users, a survey was designed to determine: a) the type of information oral health professionals need and how often; b) their preferred ways of finding it; c) - the extent of their internet access; d) attitudes to evidence based dentistry (EBD).
Methods: A postal survey was conducted of 1000 oral health professionals in England, Scotland and Wales randomly identified from the General Dental Council Register. 298 completed useable questionnaires were returned.
Results: Early results indicate oral health professionals particularly want access to further information on teeth whitening, periodontal disease, oral cancer and oral care for cancer/immunocompromised patients. Preferred publication types for sources of information are critically appraised topics, textbooks and guidelines. The majority of respondents answer their clinical uncertainties by asking a colleague or looking in a textbook/journal. Attitudes towards evidence-based dentistry seem positive with 87% participants stating they work to the methods of EBD where possible. Of these 54% consider they need further training in this. While almost all of respondents had access to the Internet at home, just 59% had access at work. Of these half have shared access only.
Conclusions: The study highlights workplace requirements, such as Internet access and evidence-based training needs. Further results will be presented at the conference. The findings will be used to tailor the Oral Health Specialist Library more precisely to its users' needs.