Variations in Australian dental therapy practice by practitioner and workplace characteristics

Area of Science:

• Dental Public Health
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Understanding dental therapy practice variations is crucial for educational and service planning.
• Dental therapists (DT) and oral health therapists (OHT) are key providers in diverse clinical settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess if dental therapy service provision differs based on practitioner and workplace characteristics.
• To identify variations in service delivery among DTs and OHTs across different practice sectors.

Main Methods:

• A survey was distributed to members of professional associations representing DTs and OHTs.
• Data collected included practitioner/workplace characteristics and clinical activities on a typical practice day.
• Negative binomial regression models were used to analyze differences in service provision per patient visit.

Main Results:

• Public sector practitioners provided significantly higher rates of fissure sealants, restorations, and deciduous tooth extractions per patient visit compared to the private sector.
• Public sector providers demonstrated lower rates of oral health instruction, fluoride applications, scale and cleans, and periodontal services.
• Service provision patterns varied significantly based on practice sector and other practitioner/workplace characteristics.

Conclusions:

• Observed differences in service provision suggest that DTs and OHTs adapt their practices to different patient populations and care models.
• Variations in service delivery may indicate the existence of barriers limiting the full scope of practice in certain settings.
• Further research is needed to explore these practice variations and potential barriers to optimal service utilization.