[Acceptance of dental care guidelines by quality circles]

The discussion about the advantages of evidence-based guidelines in daily dental practice is a matter of current interest. In this report three high-quality S3 level pilot guidelines which have been developed in dental medicine were evaluated under practice conditions. Quality circles in the city of Hamburg readily accepted to join this survey. By means of a questionnaire before and after a 4-month field test in dental practices the participants of quality circles were interviewed about their attitude towards guidelines and to the application of the guidelines. In addition, the experience gained with the application of the guidelines was incorporated into a group discussion with moderators of quality circles. The inclusion of quantitative and qualitative methods enabled a recording of the complete range of differentiated opinions concerning the application of guidelines. The results show that the concerns expressed by participants can be reduced by integrating guidelines in their everyday clinical practice. A strength and weakness analysis demonstrates that the quality circle moderators' attitudes towards approved guidelines range from rather positive to ambivalent. Field testing by quality circles proves to be a sound method for evaluating the acceptance of guidelines in daily practice.