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Biomedical subjects

Wayne Richards

Publications and source records attributed to Wayne Richards.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

A specialism of primary dental care?

This opinion paper contends that a wide gap exists between the theory and practice of preventive dentistry. The reasons for this lie partly in the lack of recognition given to the potential for general dental practitioners (GDPs) to deliver health-focused care to their community of patients. This lack of recognition begins at undergraduate level and is also found among GDPs themselves. The creation of a specialism of primary dental care would help to bridge the gap between theory and practice, and help practitioners to create significantly improved levels of oral health within their respective communities.

General Practice, Dental↗
PubMed2002

Oral ill-health and deprivation among patients of a general dental practice in South Wales.

PURPOSE OF STUDY: This study aims to establish and report on whether individuals from deprived areas suffer more ill health than adults from areas considered not to be deprived when visiting a general dental practice. BASIC PROCEDURES: Between December 1998 and June 1999 registered dental patients over 18 years of age attending for routine care completed a questionnaire measuring functional, experiential and psychosocial impact of oral ill health. In addition the clinical impact of ill health was established from the patient examination and record card. Clinical outcome was assessed by numbers of standing teeth, oral health was assessed using the Subjective Oral Health Status Indicators (SOHSI). The patient's postcode was used to categorise individuals from areas of different deprivation states. MAIN FINDINGS: 99% were dentate with 88.4% having more than 20 teeth. A total of 71.8% were able to eat satisfactorily, 88.2% were able to speak satisfactorily, 54.6% were discontent, 99.4% were worried about their oral health and appearance, 62.8% were satisfied with their oral health, 44.8% experienced discomfort, 65.8% experienced other symptoms, and 86.8% experienced 'general well-being'. No differences were observed for clinical measures between the deprived groups. Only three out of eight oral health measures showed any differences between the deprived groups, namely, ability to speak, discontent and general well-being. More individuals from deprived areas experienced these impacts. PRINCIPAL CONCLUSIONS: It was anticipated that individuals from deprived areas would experience greater ill-health: this outcome was not as marked as expected.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2002

The use of geographical information systems in examining variations in sociodemographic profiles of dental practice catchments: a case study of a Swansea practice.

AIM: The aim of this paper is to use a case study approach to illustrate the potential for using geographical information systems (GIS) to examine the provision of dental services in the UK. A major benefit of using GIS to examine sociodemographic profiles of patients on a dental register is to inform policy makers. METHOD: We illustrate the advantages of such an approach by using a postcoded list of registered patients for a dental practice in Swansea. To be of value in this context, the maintenance of up-to-date and fully postcoded information by practitioners is vital. We draw attention to the advantages (and current limitations) of using deprivation indices in conjunction with such lists. RESULT: GIS has significant potential in analysing patterns of registration, and utilisation, of such services but, to date, there has been a relative dearth of studies that have developed such systems. CONCLUSION: We conclude by drawing attention to wider benefits of such software tools in the dental profession and outline a research agenda to take these issues further.

Adult↗