The use of newer technologies by New Zealand dentists

To determine the prevalence and use of newer technologies among New Zealand general dental practitioners (GDPs).

Cross-sectional survey of a random sample of GDPs.

A postal questionnaire was sent to 700 GDPs enrolled on the DCNZ Dentists' Register (response rate 62.8%).

Of all the technologies investigated, the digital apex locator (81.4%) and intra-oral camera (49.6%) were the most commonly used. Males and females differed with respect to the use of dental implant systems (41.6% and 24.1% respectively; P<0.05) and intra-oral cameras (53.6% and 39.8% respectively; P<0.05). New Zealand-trained and overseas-trained dentists differed with respect to their use of dental implant systems, with fewer of the latter (21.3%) using them than the former (40.2%). Power bleaching units were more common among more recent graduates. Compared to their city counterparts, dentists in smaller centres appeared to be slower in adopting most forms of newer technology.

This study (the first of its kind internationally) provides an informative snapshot of New Zealand dentists' use of dental technologies during 2007. Efficiency was the most common reason for using newer technology.