Randomised questionnaire study related to GDP's demography and response rate

Objective: To identify the types of general dental practice responding (R)or not responding (NR)to a prosthodontics questionnaire. Design: Anonymous random sample of 1250 general dental practitioners (GDPs) in the UK. Method:Postal questionnaire consisting of 5 questions pertaining to the type of dental practice and personal details of the GDPs and 6 questions relating to a posterior tooth fracture classification. The GDPs were asked to suggest the method they usually employed in practice to restore damaged teeth. Details of the data collection and general analysis were described elsewhere. Results: There was a 49% response, 41% of these were from predominately NHS practices, 26% from mostly private practices with 19% mixed.The rest (14%) were community, armed forces, hospital and vocational training practitioners. Forty four per cent worked from 31/2 to 41/2 days per week and 33% for more than 5 days per week. Eighty per cent (NR 55%)had been qualified from between 1970 to 1989 and 16% (NR 33%)since 1990. Ninety one per cent practised in England (NR 84%) and the rest in Wales, Scotland and N Ireland.In Scotland 3% (R) and 31% (NR) were recorded.Sixty two per cent of responders were male (NR 66%). Treatment choices were similar in all groups apart from the private dentists who would tend to remove a large restoration before re filling or crowning. Conclusions: Two fifths of responders were NHS and a quarter private practitioners. Nearly 50% worked up to a 41/2 days week and 71% (NR 55%) had been qualified more than 20 years. Ninety one (NR 84%) came from England. Non-responders were high amongst the newly qualified and the Scots.