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The Treatment Evaluation Inventory (TEI) is a commonly used 19-item measure of treatment acceptability. It yields a total score and Patient Progress and Acceptability subscales. The internal consistency and factor structure of the TEI were assessed in two samples, 218 members of the general public and 131 dental students. The total and both subscales had very high internal consistency (alpha for total scale = .96 and .94 in the two samples; alphas for Patient Progress .95 and .92; alphas for Acceptability .90 and .86). Factor analysis yielded a two-factor solution that accounted for 64.4% and 54.0% of the variance, but which did not correspond to the two existing subscales. A second analysis examined the distribution of TEI scores and correlations with two other measures of treatment acceptability (a thermometer rating scale and a 5-point Likert-type scale) in a sample of 222 undergraduate students. All measures were negatively skewed. There were large, significant correlations between the full scale TEI and the other measures, so the full TEI has concurrent validity. However, the TEI did not meet Anastasi's (1976) criterion for independent and useful subscales, therefore only the full scale score should be used.

To examine the perceived acceptability of compulsory detention in treatment of an individual with severe anorexia nervosa amongst a sample of members of the general population, 151 participants read vignettes describing the compulsory detention of a female patient with a Body Mass Index of 12.4. The vignettes systematically varied along three dimensions: patients' reaction, immediate outcome (psychological state), and long-term outcome (attendance at out-patient appointments). Acceptability was measured using the Treatment Evaluation Inventory. There were significant main effects of psychological outcome and the long-term treatment outcome. The main effect of the patients' reaction to the detention was not significant, but there was a significant interaction for psychological outcome and long-term outcome, such that good attendance at out-patient appointments increased ratings of acceptability more markedly when a good psychological outcome had been secured. The outcome of treatment exerts a strong influence on ratings of acceptability. Individuals who have no direct experience with eating disorders endorse treatments that are effective irrespective of the patients' feelings about the treatment.

The Treatment Evaluation Inventory of Kazdin, French, and Sherick is a 19-item measure of the perceived acceptability of behavioural treatments. Development of two brief forms was based on data from two sources. For Study 1, data from 218 completed questionnaires were used to develop internally consistent brief scales. In Study 2 internal consistency and the validity of the brief forms were estimated for a set of 131 questionnaires. Item reduction was achieved by analysis of item total minus item correlations. Brief forms with 3, 6, 9, and 12 items were proposed. Their internal consistency (Cronbach [alpha]) and construct validity were based on correlations of scores on each short form with the full scale scores and on comparing means of different forms. Discriminant validity was based on the difference between two groups (estimated effect size 0.7). Scores for all forms showed high internal consistency and correlated highly with total scale scores. Only the 12-item brief scale yielded mean scores similar to the fun scale. The 3-item form could be used as a quick screen, and the 12-item form for more intensive purposes as it is most similar to the full-scale.

The objectives of this study were 1) to provide an estimate of the value of the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for dental caries data at tooth and surface level, 2) to provide an estimate of the design effect (DE) to be used in the determination of sample size estimates for future dental surveys, and 3) to explore the usefulness of multilevel modeling of cross-sectional survey data by comparing the model estimates derived from multilevel and single-level models. Using data from the United Kingdom Adult Dental Health Survey 2009, the ICC and DE were calculated for surfaces within a tooth, teeth within the individual, and surfaces within the individual. Simple and multilevel logistic regression analysis was performed with the outcome variables carious tooth or surface. ICC estimated that 10% of the variance in surface caries is attributable to the individual level and 30% of the variance in surfaces caries is attributable to variation between teeth within individuals. When comparing multilevel with simple logistic models, β values were 4 to 5 times lower and the standard error 2 to 3 times lower in multilevel models. All the fit indices showed multilevel models were a better fit than simple models. The DE was 1.4 for the clustering of carious surfaces within teeth, 6.0 for carious teeth within an individual, and 38.0 for carious surfaces within the individual. The ICC for dental caries data was 0.21 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.204–0.220) at the tooth level and 0.30 (95% CI, 0.284–0.305) at the surface level. The DE used for sample size calculation for future dental surveys will vary on the level of clustering, which is important in the analysis—the DE is greatest when exploring the clustering of surfaces within individuals. Failure to consider the effect of clustering on the design and analysis of epidemiological trials leads to an overestimation of the impact of interventions and the importance of risk factors in predicting caries outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

There is a growing trend for research to be conducted in primary health settings, to the benefit of patients and healthcare workers. This article provides an introduction and overview of a series which aims to facilitate research in general dental practice and to encourage general dental practitioners and other members of the dental team to become involved in these studies. The benefits of undertaking research are outlined, as well as barriers to becoming involved in such research. It is argued that many of these barriers can be overcome by encouraging dental practitioners to collaborate with established researchers in a variety of settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectivesTo describe the socio-demographic characteristics of successful and unsuccessful applicants to one UK dental school over a period of five years. To compare the characteristics of successful and unsuccessful candidates.DesignRetrospective analysis of admissions data for the former United Medical and Dental Schools of Guy's and St Thomas' (UMDS) dental school provided by Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) for a five year period (1994-1998).ParticipantsApplicants to the former UMDS dental school between 1994 and 1998.Main outcome measuresSuccess of candidates at four stages of the application process: initial application; offer made by the dental school; offer accepted or declined by the candidate; candidate accepted by the school (post A level results). Comparisons were made of the success rates among candidates grouped according to socio-demographic characteristics at each transition between these stages. A level performance was not included in the analysis, which must limit the findings, and may explain some of the variation found in the study.ResultsThe effect of socio-demographic characteristics on the admissions process was small though significant. Approximately 9% of initial applicants reached the final stage and were accepted into the dental school. The most marked effect was a bias towards female entrants (11.5% of women applicants were accepted, compared with 7% of men). Only 5% of applicants from all the Black minority groups were successful. In comparison 17% of applicants of Chinese origin were successful. The proportion of accepted applicants from London and the South East (12%) was greater than from other areas (9%).ConclusionsAny conclusions must be tempered by the limitations of the study: the retrospective nature of the study together with the lack of information on A level results. Given these caveats, this study has demonstrated that the success of applicants to one former dental school was related to their socio-demographic characteristics. A prospective study including a number of dental schools in the UK which records both predicted and achieved A level grades would provide more definitive information on the impact of socio-demographic factors on admission to dental school. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe the working practices and level of job satisfaction of dental hygienists in the United Kingdom.Design: Postal questionnaire survey of 3,955 dental hygienists registered with the General Dental Council. Replies were received from 2,533 (64%).Results: At the time of the survey only a small proportion of respondents (11%) were not working as dental hygienists, the most common reason for a current career break being child rearing. The majority of dental hygienists (78%) were employed in general dental practices, and most worked in more than one practice (64%). Approximately half worked part-time (fewer than 30 hours per week), and part-time working was more common amongst those respondents with childcare responsibilities. In the region of 60% of respondents had taken one or more career breaks during their working life, and the average total duration of career breaks was 11 months, the most common reason for all career breaks was child rearing. Additional qualifications had been gained by 35% of the sample, a high proportion (75%) had attended training courses in the previous year. The respondents expressed a high degree of job satisfaction, those who were older and who had childcare responsibilities expressed higher levels of job satisfaction.Conclusions: Dental hygienists express a high level of job satisfaction. A proportion take breaks in their career, most commonly for pregnancy and child rearing. The majority return to part-time employment after their career break. Planning of future requirements for the training of professionals complementary to dentistry should be informed by a consideration of the working patterns of dental hygienists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a prevalent perception that NHS dental treatment is increasingly difficult to access. In order to access the validity of this perception data on the percentage of private and NHS patients treated by general dental practitioners (GDPs) were analysed. These data were derived from a national survey. The findings showed that GDPs can be divided into three broad groups on the basis of the proportion of patients treated privately or through the National Health Service (NHS). Approximately 50% of GDPs nationally concentrate on NHS dentistry (85% or more of their patients are treated under the NHS); 25% treat more than 70% of their patients privately; the remaining minority of practitioners fall between these two positions treating moderate proportions of both private and NHS patients. Regional differences also exist in the payment systems chosen by GDPs. The median percentage of private patients per dentist varies widely by area being around 50% in the South East and South West, 30% in London, 20% in the West Midlands and Eastern counties and less than 10% elsewhere. In a multivariate regression GDP characteristics were also significant in explaining the median percentage of private patients per GDP The findings add to widely held concerns about access to NHS dentistry, though suggest that problems may be limited to certain areas of the United Kingdom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies the self-assessed oral health status of ethnic minority residents in South London, England. Key issues of interest; Analysis of pertinent topics and relevant issues; Implications on dentistry and oral epidemiology.

In previous articles, we have considered how to formulate a research question and choose an appropriate methodological approach to answer that question, including the use of evidence-based research instruments or measurement scales. In this article, we put this information together in the form of a research proposal and consider how to obtain funding for the research project, as well as fulfil ethical requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To describe the proportion of dental practitioners who report vacancies within their dental practice for the following: dental surgeons, dental hygienists, dental nurses and dental receptionists. To determine the proportion of dental practitioners working in general dental practice who would consider employing a dental therapist.Method: Analysis of data from the British Dental Association Omnibus Survey 2000. The sample comprised 992 qualified dentists in all fields of practice.Findings: The most commonly reported vacancies were for dental surgeons (18% of practitioners reported vacancies), dental nurses (17%) and dental hygienists (12%). Approximately 46% of general dental practitioners reported that they would employ a dental therapist if legislation permitted. The main reason for not employing a dental therapist was insufficient space in the dental practice.Conclusions: A large number of vacancies exist for dental surgeons, dental nurses and dental hygienists in the United Kingdom. Around half of dental practices express an interest in employing dental therapists should legislation permit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author focuses on the article "Pain catastrophizing is associated with dental pain under stressful content" and the author's views about uniting social, psychological and biological determinants of health. The author mentions the use of multilevel modeling and structural equation modeling in analyzing complex interrelationships of health factors. The author talks about the need for a plurality of research methods in exploring biological manifestations of psychological and social processes.

Discusses a study aimed at establishing normative age-gender values for British oral health related quality of life measure. Local reference for the interpretation of findings; Factors associated with oral health related quality of life; Impact of oral health and oral diseases on quality of life.

Objective To describe the working practices and level of job satisfaction of dental hygienists in the United Kingdom. Design Postal questionnaire survey of 3,955 dental hygienists registered with the General Dental Council. Replies were received from 2,533 (64%). Results At the time of the survey only a small proportion of respondents (11%) were not working as dental hygienists, the most common reason for a current career break being child rearing. The majority of dental hygienists (78%) were employed in general dental practices, and most worked in more than one practice (64%). Approximately half worked part-time (fewer than 30 hours per week), and part-time working was more common amongst those respondents with childcare responsibilities. In the region of 60% of respondents had taken one or more career breaks during their working life, and the average total duration of career breaks was 11 months, the most common reason for all career breaks was child rearing. Additional qualifications had been gained by 35% of the sample, a high proportion (75%) had attended training courses in the previous year. The respondents expressed a high degree of job satisfaction, those who were older and who had childcare responsibilities expressed higher levels of job satisfaction. Conclusions Dental hygienists express a high level of job satisfaction. A proportion take breaks in their career, most commonly for pregnancy and child rearing. The majority return to part-time employment after their career break. Planning of future requirements for the training of professionals complementary to dentistry should be informed by a consideration of the working patterns of dental hygienists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]