Utilisation of the dental workforce: a service evaluation in one dental institute

Objective This study examines the skill set and utilisation of dental care professionals (DCPs) in secondary and tertiary dental care roles.Methods DCPs were surveyed across various specialities using the General Dental Council's Scope of practice as a reference.Results Dental nurses employ 23 out of 30 identified skills, dental therapists use 28 out of 32, and dental hygienists perform 27 out of 29 of their skills. Dental technicians use 17 out of 20 skills within their scope; however, clinical dental technicians only employ 3 out of 20 skills regularly. The majority of participants expressed a desire for further training and skill utilisation.Discussion DCPs possess diverse skill sets and a commitment to ongoing development. However, challenges, including educational priorities, patient referrals and treatment constraints, limit their scope in secondary and tertiary care.Conclusion Enhancing DCPs' contributions to patient care requires collaboration with dentists and addressing systemic barriers in secondary and tertiary dental care. Promoting additional training and full skill set utilisation can improve the dental care workforce to meet evolving patient and population needs.