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Questionnaire survey on the use of computerisation in dental practices across the Thames Valley Region
J H John1, D Thomas, D Richards
1Cherwell Vale Primary Care Trust, Oxford. jeyanthi.john@cherwellvale-pct.nhs.uk
Objectives:
To investigate the extent of and attitudes to computerisation in dental practices across the Thames Valley Strategic Health Authority Region.
Design:
Postal questionnaire survey.
Results:
A response rate of 88% was achieved. Most (77%) of the practices were using computerised systems or were planning to do so soon. The main reasons for not using computers were that computerisation was not currently necessary (56%), practice staff were reluctant to move to electronic systems (24%), or because computer systems were perceived as too expensive (19%). Computerised systems were used mainly for transmitting dental practice board data, or managing patient and financial records. Only 45% of practices had access to the internet and electronic mail (email). Forty-nine percent of practices thought that it was important to have access to email, 46% to the internet and 40% to NHSnet. Many practices requested training for staff in a variety of areas including managing databases and setting up web-sites.
Conclusions:
Despite the advantages of using computerised systems, many dental practices were only using them to a limited extent. Training and follow-up support may encourage dental practice teams to develop more positive attitudes towards computerisation and encourage them to use computers more extensively in clinical practice.
