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Barriers and facilitators to primary dental care research in England

Year: 2025
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: Objectives: More than 95% of dental patients in England receive oral and dental care in primary care settings, however participation rates of dental professionals in this setting are notably low. This study sought to identify barriers and facilitators to recruiting dental professionals into research in primary dental care settings in England. Methods: An online survey (n=139), a focus group (n=7) and semi-structured interviews (n=29) were undertaken with professionals involved in delivery of dental care (dentists, dental care professionals and practice managers) and professionals involved in primary dental care research delivery (support staff and principal investigators of previous and existing primary dental care studies). Thematic analysis and the Capability-Opportunity-Motivation-Behaviour (COM-B) model from Michie's Behaviour Change Wheel theory were used to analyse and conceptualise our data. Results: Multiple barriers, such as administrative burden, perceived medicolegal risk, lack of time and concerns about financial compensation prevented many practices from participating in research. Facilitators for research participation included factors related to capability, such as having adequate capacity and experience of taking part in research; opportunity, such as the availability of relevant and suitable studies; and motivation, such as personal interest, opportunities for career development and recognition. Conclusions: Dental professionals’ motivation to become involved in research is varied. Some professionals are simply not interested in participating in research and are unlikely to ever do so; however some interested parties lack the capability or opportunity to become involved in research. Strategically responding to the insights reported in this study may encourage broader engagement in research in primary dental care, and increase the likelihood that policy and practice in dental care delivery in England is less reliant on evidence generated in specialist dental settings.
Language: English
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7111513891
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