Variables that impact on the treatment modalities of dentists

Objectives: The overall objective of this study was to explore variables that impact on the treatment modalities of dentists over the number of years in practice. Methods: A standardised questionnaire was sent out to dentists in the Gauteng province. Systematic random sampling was used. Results: A 70% response rate was achieved (n=192). 76% of the respondents were male and 24% female. Data analysis was done using the t-test, chi-square test and ANOVA. 72% of the respondents were in practice for more than 10 years. 13,5% and 4% of the dentists utilised oral hygienists and dental therapists respectively in their .ipractices. More than a third (37%) of their time was spent on restorations, followed by extractions (15%). Female dentists treated a statistically significant (p=0,0046) proportion of children compared to males. A significant number of males did restorative work and extractions (p=0,0065) compared to their female counterparts. A significant number of males (p=0,0068) did orthodontic treatment in the form of removable appliances. When comparing the number of years in practice and percentage of children treated there was a downward trend of children treated with the increase in the number of years in practice. With adults there was an upward trend. Highest number of extractions occurred within the first ten years, then there was a downward trend. With restorations there was an upward trend which increased with the number of years in practice. 83% of the dentists were of the opinion that there is not enough emphasis on preventive dentistry in South Africa's dental care system. Conclusions: From this study the variables that seemed to have had an influence on the dentist's method of treatment were gender, number of years in practice (age), and third party payment system.