A survey of the pattern of private general dental practice in Queensland

All non-specialist ADA member private practitioners in Queensland were invited to participate in a survey to determine the number of the various types of permanent restorations placed in one week and the percentage breakdown of the time they devoted to the various areas of dentistry. Final year dentistry students at the University of Queensland were asked to estimate the projected breakdown of their time in future practice. Results showed that amalgam is still by far the most commonly used material followed by composite resin and glass ionomer cement and that restorative dentistry accounts for the bulk of the practitioners' time. Students' estimations of the work mix were in agreement with those of the practitioners.