METHODS: To achieve the aim of this project a questionnaire, covering the period 2005 to 2007, was compiled and distributed at three dental congresses to private general dental practitioners. The questions were structured in such a manner that the most favourite commercial products (brand names) in the various categories could be identified.
RESULTS: A total of 215 (46,90%) of the distributed questionnaires (458) were returned (response rate = 46,90%). The most favourite products in the various categories of direct restorative materials were: Amalgam: Dispersalloy (30,82%), Conventional composite resins: TPH3 (18,78%), Flowableb composite resins: Tetric Flow (35,96%), Packable composite resins: Filtek P60, Quixfil, Surefil (25,00% each), Compomers: Dyract AP (60,39%), Conventional glass ionomers: Fuji IX (41,27%), Resin-modified glass ionomers: Vitremer (36,43%), Liners under amalgam: Kalzinol (28,48%), Liners under composites: Vitrebond (35,50%).
CONCLUSIONS: The private general dental practitioners identified materials which were more popular than the rest of the products in each category.