Biomaterial Database

A survey of the use of micro-computers in general dental practice in Scotland. 1989

J W Shoolbread, and B Wohlgemuth

The aim of the study was to determine current and future use of micro-computers in general dental practice. A piloted questionnaire was sent to 736 general dental practitioners in Scotland, with the intention of contacting one principal from every dental practice known to the Scottish Dental Estimates Board. A total of 390 (53%) of the questionnaires were returned. If it is assumed that those dentists who did not reply have a low interest in computers then the results of the survey are not likely to lead to an overestimation of trends. Six per cent of the 736 practices that were contacted are using a micro-computer, mainly for practice management and particularly for word processing. In addition, 25% of the replies showed some interest in introducing micro-computers in the future. Thirty-four per cent of current users and 19% of prospective users indicated a high degree of interest in direct data transmission between the practice and the Scottish Dental Estimates Board.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008838	Microcomputers	Small computers using LSI (large-scale integration) microprocessor chips as the CPU (central processing unit) and semiconductor memories for compact, inexpensive storage of program instructions and data. They are smaller and less expensive than minicomputers and are usually built into a dedicated system where they are optimized for a particular application. "Microprocessor" may refer to just the CPU or the entire microcomputer.	Computers, Personal,Microprocessors,Computer, Personal,Microcomputer,Microprocessor,Personal Computer,Personal Computers
D011215	Practice Management, Dental	The organization and operation of the business aspects of a dental practice.	Dental Practice Management Services,Dental Practice Management,Management, Dental Practice,Practice Management Services, Dental
D003792	Dental Records	Data collected during dental examination for the purpose of study, diagnosis, or treatment planning.	Dental Record,Record, Dental,Records, Dental
D003815	Dentists	Individuals licensed to practice DENTISTRY.	Dentists, Pediatric,Dentists, Prosthetic,Dentists, Restorative,Periodontists,Prosthodontists,Dentist,Dentist, Pediatric,Dentist, Prosthetic,Dentist, Restorative,Pediatric Dentist,Pediatric Dentists,Periodontist,Prosthetic Dentist,Prosthetic Dentists,Prosthodontist,Restorative Dentist,Restorative Dentists
D005544	Forecasting	The prediction or projection of the nature of future problems or existing conditions based upon the extrapolation or interpretation of existing scientific data or by the application of scientific methodology.	Futurology,Projections and Predictions,Future,Predictions and Projections
D005792	General Practice, Dental	Nonspecialized dental practice which is concerned with providing primary and continuing dental care.	Dental General Practice,Dental General Practices,General Practices, Dental,Practice, Dental General,Practices, Dental General
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001291	Attitude of Health Personnel	Attitudes of personnel toward their patients, other professionals, toward the medical care system, etc.	Staff Attitude,Attitude, Staff,Attitudes, Staff,Health Personnel Attitude,Health Personnel Attitudes,Staff Attitudes
D012606	Scotland	The most northerly of the four countries of the United Kingdom, occupying about one-third of the island of Great Britain. The capital is Edinburgh.