Results: data from a 66% respondent rate (GDPs aged 30-50 years) were analysed using SPSS and Microsoft Access. The male/female ratio was 208 to 102 (respondents). Overall, 18 (3.6%) GDPs of the total sample were found to have a specialist registration with the GDC. In total 85 (17%) GDPs had postgraduate qualification. The majority of dentists, 320 (97%), responding to the questionnaire were either practice owners or associates. Furthermore, 277 (84%) of GDPs worked in a multiple dental practice. For respondents, the average number of CPD points earned per annum was 36. The practice size and the average number of registered patients per practice was 2119. 79% of the care delivered was through the NHS.
Conclusions: It was estimated that 28% of GDPs were eligible to retire in the next 10 years. A small percentage of recently qualified dentists were identified in our sample group. If new recruitment cannot match projected retirement a significant reduction in access to dental care in Yorkshire will occur. The male/female ratio of new graduates does not mirror that of existing GDPs and may influence access to future dental care. The data shows a lower incidence of postgraduate qualification in our sample group compared to the average UK dental register.