Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

To discover the profession's general feeling about conditions in the National Health Service.

Main Topics:

Attitudinal/Behavioural Questions Information on attitudes towards the NHS includes: how respondent finds conditions in general terms (3 point scale), if dissatisfied, whether more dissatisfied with pay (6 categories) or with conditions of practice other than pay. Type of remuneration system favoured (i.e. by scale of fees, salaried service, by capitation fee), and attitudes towards the limitation of individual earnings are recorded together with views on what an NHS patient should pay for treatment (7 statements), and whether priority classes should be exempt from any possible charges. Information is also given on attitudes towards the pattern of earnings of dental practitioners (i.e. high earnings early on, declining steeply after middle age). The degree of satisfaction with controls in the General Dental Service is given (e.g. RDO examinations, Dental Estimates Boards, Executive Councils) normally considered on a 3 or 4 point scale). Respondents are asked if, in present circumstances, they find it practicable to offer a fully comprehensive service to patients, and if not, why. They are also asked whether they would resign from the NHS if called upon to do so (4 point scale of willingness). Finally, information is given on what reforms, apart from a straight pay increase, respondents would like to see introduced. Background Variables Age, sex, type of practice (i.e. whether in NHS, if so, practice category is given: partnership etc.), and area of practice.

No sampling (total universe)

Postal survey