Journal of Dental Science and Medicine
Open Access

Abstract

The need for more research to be undertaken in primary care settings has been outlined in the literature. There are a number of barriers to the undertaking of research in Primary Dental Care including recruitment, engagement with the process, and motivation of clinicians, funding, time restraints and a lack of logistical and academic expertise. This reflection aims to present the collective experiences of the dental team involved in the TRUCE (TReatment during Urgent dental Care in England) study which investigated urgent dental appointments in primary care. The role of GDPs (General Dental Practitioners) and DCPs (Dental Care Professionals) is explored. The DCPs in this study enjoyed their roles and were competent in that role. They relieved the clinicians of significant clinical and administrative burden. It is concluded that primary care research projects must be designed carefully to engage clinicians with appropriate funding and time protections, and with appropriate methodology to utilise the full skill set of the whole dental team including GDPs and DCPs.

Biography

Reem AL Nashi Elia is a General Dental Practitioner based in the UK who advocates for research in primary care settings within dentistry. She has 19 years of experience in clinical practice. She has also worked as a clinical undergraduate tutor in the University of Leeds and as a clinical advisor to the General Dental Council.