A 2-CENTER STUDY TO DETERMINE DENTISTS AGREEMENT WITH CURRENT GUIDELINES ON THE FREQUENCY OF BITEWING RADIOGRAPHY

The main aim of this study was to compare the intervals between initia l and recall bitewing radiography recommended by general dental practi tioners (GDPs) with those advocated in published guidelines. A questio nnaire containing eight clinical scenarios was distributed to GDPs in two areas of England, Birmingham (fluoridated) and Manchester (non-flu oridated). The response rate was 70.8%. There was considerable agreeme nt (>66.0%) with recommended guidelines for all low caries risk scenar ios, but in three out of the four high caries risk scenarios a minorit y of dentists were in agreement (<49.5%). In high caries risk scenario s there was a tendency to over prescription with adult patients and un der-prescription for patients in the mixed dentition. For all low risk scenarios except the youngest patient, there was a significantly grea ter agreement with the guidelines amongst Birmingham dentists, with th e Manchester group having a greater tendency to over-prescription. Thi s difference may be related to the effects of fluoridation of the wate r supply in the Birmingham area. There was generally greater agreement with the guidelines amongst younger dentists, with their old colleagu es tending to under-prescription. The results suggest that greater emp hasis on selection criteria in continuing education of dentists is req uired.