Selection and use of posterior composites in general dental practice

This study investigated, by means of a directly mailed postal questionnaire to each of the general dental practitioners in a Scottish Health Board area, the use of posterior composites by general dental practitioners and the factors affecting their selection and introduction of these materials into their practices. Three non-restorative practitioners (two-Orthodontics, one-Oral Surgery) were excluded from the study giving a total of 156. Although a relatively small study, a 60 per cent response rate was increased to 70 per cent after telephone follow up. Of the 109 respondents, 30 per cent offered NHS (National Health Service) treatment exclusively and 70 per cent had mixed NHS/private practices. 77 per cent of the respondents claimed to use posterior composites but 7 per cent of those were using anterior composite materials for posterior restorations. 90 per cent of those claiming to use posterior composites placed fewer than five posterior composite restorations per week. In an area with a high proportion of exclusively private practices findings may have differed.