THE INFLUENCE ON PARTIAL DENTURE DESIGN OF A TEACHING VIDEO FOR GENERAL DENTAL PRACTITIONERS

This evaluation was based on replies from a random sample of general d ental practitioners who were asked to complete questionnaires before a nd after being sent a video and accompanying booklet on partial dentur e design. Forty per cent (257) of the original sample (636) completed and returned both questionnaires. A total of 212 respondents (82%) fel t the video had been of value and 175 (68%) said they would be more li kely to provide metal partial dentures after having watched it. The po sitive effects of the video were greatest amongst the most recently qu alified. Despite some improvement after watching the video, there rema ined 105 (40%) who indicated that they would leave all partial denture design decisions to the technician on at least some occasions. Compar ison of data from first and second questionnaires showed little eviden ce of substantial shifts in choice of denture design for a series of s pecific situations. It was concluded that whilst the programme had bee n well received and had produced changes in intention, there was less objective evidence of change.