Dental practitioner attendances at postgraduate courses in a dental school

The attendance pattern of dental practitioners who resided in the West Midlands and attended postgraduate courses at Birmingham University Dental School was studied. Data were collected from the participants as to their name, the location of their practice and the type of course that they attended. Other information such as their qualifications or their attendance at other postgraduate courses was sought from appropriate records. The percentage of West Midlands' dentists who attended postgraduate courses at Birmingham University Dental School was found to be 41%, although this figure was higher amongst Birmingham (53%) and Wolverhampton (51%) practitioners. It is known that practitioners participated in other types of continuing educational activities elsewhere. The majority of dentists attending courses had been qualified for less than 15 years. There were multiple attendances from participants who were already involved in other postgraduate activities such as the MGDS. This study also highlighted the important role of university employed staff in providing postgraduate education for general dental practitioners.