Peer appraisal in Leicestershire Community Dental Service

During the period 1976 to 1980 inclusively a form of staff appraisal amongst dental officers was introduced into the Community Dental Service in Leicestershire. The aim was to observe and review the output performance and potential of individual dental officers. In practical terms it was noticed that during this period there was a distinct change in work output and treatment patterns. Routine fillings and extractions showed a marked downward trend; the number of crowns per operator, the number of orthodontic appliances fitted, the number of root treatments performed, the patients radiographed and, above all, the total visits per full time equivalent dental officer all showed a noticeable and at times a highly pronounced increase. Although the downward trend in fillings and extractions reflects what now appears to be the overall tendency in developed countries, it is felt that the increase in other items was, to a large extent, due to peer appraisal.