The provision of periodontal services in general dental practice in Australia.

Recent studies have documented the low percentage of professional services which are associated with periodontal care. The aims of the present study were to describe the provision of periodontal services by private general practice dentists in Australia and to investigate the variation of provision of periodontal services. Using a day log approach via a mailed questionnaire one in eight services provided were found to be related to periodontal care. Most were of a preventive nature. There was great variation between dentists in the number of services provided indicating the possibility of both under and overservicing. The findings are discussed with regard to the changing philosophies of provision of periodontal services and known methods of eliciting change among providers.