Abstract
Introduction: Quality improvement (QI) is important in assuring standards in oral healthcare. Despite the growing literature about quality indicators, audit and feedback, the perceptions and expectations of oral health professionals towards quality improvement remain unclear. Understanding these perspectives, barriers and facilitators is important to effectively encourage and maintain quality improvement activities in dental practices. This is the first of six publications in a series concerning “Situational Analysis of QI in oral healthcare in Europe”.
Aim: This study aimed to investigate how QI was conducted and perceived in dental practices in the UK and Germany.
Methods: A Situational Analysis, comprising desk research and semi-structured interviews was conducted. Data collection was conducted from May to October 2023. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to recruit dental practice participants in the UK and in Germany. Interviews and key texts were thematically analysed to synthesise three maps: a situational map, a social world map, and a positional map.
Results: Eighteen participants were interviewed, comprising dentists, dental hygienists, dental therapists, dental nurses, and practice managers. The participants described six competing positions surrounding QI: QI activities were expressed as being worthwhile or box-ticking exercises to satisfy regulators. Some felt that QI detracted from service delivery and should not be the role of the dentist, whereas others stressed the need for a whole team approach. Some felt that patients were important to judge quality, whereas others felt quality in dentistry required understanding of technical processes beyond the reach of patients.
Conclusion: This study provided insights into how quality improvement activities were carried out in dental practices in the UK and in Germany, and how it is was perceived by those working in this environment. This study offers key observations into the situations, social worlds and arenas, and positions that influence quality improvement in dental practices.
Aim: This study aimed to investigate how QI was conducted and perceived in dental practices in the UK and Germany.
Methods: A Situational Analysis, comprising desk research and semi-structured interviews was conducted. Data collection was conducted from May to October 2023. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to recruit dental practice participants in the UK and in Germany. Interviews and key texts were thematically analysed to synthesise three maps: a situational map, a social world map, and a positional map.
Results: Eighteen participants were interviewed, comprising dentists, dental hygienists, dental therapists, dental nurses, and practice managers. The participants described six competing positions surrounding QI: QI activities were expressed as being worthwhile or box-ticking exercises to satisfy regulators. Some felt that QI detracted from service delivery and should not be the role of the dentist, whereas others stressed the need for a whole team approach. Some felt that patients were important to judge quality, whereas others felt quality in dentistry required understanding of technical processes beyond the reach of patients.
Conclusion: This study provided insights into how quality improvement activities were carried out in dental practices in the UK and in Germany, and how it is was perceived by those working in this environment. This study offers key observations into the situations, social worlds and arenas, and positions that influence quality improvement in dental practices.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | JDR Clinical and Translational Research |
| Early online date | 23 Feb 2025 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 23 Feb 2025 |
Keywords
- Oral Health
- Dental Care
- Dental Care Team
- Quality of Health Care
- Quality Indicators
- Qualitative Research