The merit of the practice-profile-time study

The practice-profile-time study is a method developed by Joint FDI/WHO Working Group 9 on the study of 'Economic factors related to the delivery of oral services and oral health' to record the time spent by general dental practitioners on different practice activities. The method was developed to support the policies of National Dental Associations, but can also be used by general dental practitioners themselves. This method was tested in nine countries. The method has proved to be reliable and valid, and produces a vast amount of useful information for Dental Associations and for individual practitioners.