Exploring the social acceptability of skill-mix in dentistry

To explore lay views on skill-mix in dentistry and the experiences and social acceptability of care provided by operating dental auxiliaries.

Qualitative semistructured interviews and focus groups.

Participants' homes and neutral public venues.

Purposive sample of 27 adults ensuring varieties of age, social and cultural backgrounds.

Three main themes emerged from the data. The first two (Perceptions of the Nature of Dental Services and Anxiety about Dental Treatment) influenced views in the third (Support for Skill-mix). Perceptions of the nature of services varied between and within participants and depended on the context in which they were being discussed. Consumerist views and greater dental anxiety tended to be related to lower support for skill-mix. However, the possibility of lower treatment costs was seen as beneficial. Public service views saw increased efficiency and access to services as benefits of skill-mix. Views on auxiliaries treating children varied from overt opposition to reluctant acceptance. The need for careful communication of the rationale for skill-mix was highlighted.

Views on skill-mix varied. Dental anxiety and perceptions of the nature of dental services appeared to influence support of its use. Careful communication of the rationale and potential benefits of skill-mix is needed.