Survey of dental practice/dental education in Victoria. Part III. Trends in general dental practice

The responses of practising dentists in regard to clinical time spent and demand trends in dental practice were combined with recent graduates' views of the emphasis given to various disciplines during their undergraduate training in order to provide information which might assist the undergraduate curriculum review. The greatest proportion of clinical time spent by general practitioners on various clinical disciplines was reported to be restorative, preventive, diagnostic and endodontic services. There was evidence to suggest that there is an increasing demand for a broad range of clinical services, particularly in country locations, and that general practitioners appear to be expanding their range of services, including those traditionally offered by specialists. Highest increasing demand over the past five years were for recent advances in 'aesthetic dentistry', endodontics, preventive services, orthodontics, periodontics and fixed prosthodontics. High rates of referral were reported only for fixed orthodontics and major oral surgery. Almost twice as many practitioners overall reported an increase (44 per cent) rather than a decrease (26 per cent) in volume of patients over the last five years. This trend was much more evident in country practices, however, with 55 per cent and 22 per cent compared with Melbourne city, 37 per cent and 29 per cent, increasing and decreasing, respectively. Although dental educators are challenged to ensure that graduates are adequately prepared clinically to meet the demands of dental practice there is mounting pressure to support the introduction of an intern year prior to full registration.