A two-centre study to determine dentists' agreement with current guidelines on the frequency of bitewing radiography.

The main aim of this study was to compare the intervals between initial and recall bitewing radiography recommended by general dental practitioners (GDPs) with those advocated in published guidelines. A questionnaire containing eight clinical scenarios was distributed to GDPs in two areas of England, Birmingham (fluoridated) and Manchester (non-fluoridated). The response rate was 70.8%. There was considerable agreement (> 66.0%) with recommended guidelines for all low caries risk scenarios, but in three out of the four high caries risk scenarios a minority of dentists were in agreement (< 49.5%). In high caries risk scenarios there was a tendency to over prescription with adult patients and under-prescription for patients in the mixed dentition. For all low risk scenarios except the youngest patient, there was a significantly greater agreement with the guidelines amongst Birmingham dentists, with the Manchester group having a greater tendency to over-prescription. This difference may be related to the effects of fluoridation of the water supply in the Birmingham area. There was generally greater agreement with the guidelines amongst younger dentists, with their older colleagues tending to under-prescription. The results suggest that greater emphasis on selection criteria in continuing education of dentists is required.