Impact of general practice residency training on dentists and dental practice.

This study compared dentists who had completed general practice residency (GPR) training programs in 1974-76 with a similar group of dentists who had not (NGPR). Response to a mailed questionnaire indicated that the GPR group performed more oral surgery, periodontal surgery, and complex endodontic procedures and spent more time in the physical evaluation of patients. They also used the medical laboratory more frequently and tended to refer to specialists less often. GPR-trained dentists had more hospital staff appointments, admitted more patients to the hospital, and performed a greater amount and range of services within the hospital than the NGPRs. GPRs tended to subscribe to and read more journals, teach, and publish research papers. There were no differences in participation in continuing education courses and professional meetings or in self-esteem as a general dentist.