Quick Poll Results: Engaging National Dental PBRN Members for Future Growth

• Quick Polls

Authors: Drs. Rahma Mungia and David Cochran

Introduction

The National Dental Practice-Based Research Network (PBRN) is a collaborative initiative that brings together dental practitioners and researchers to advance clinical knowledge and improve patient care. Understanding the motivations, benefits, challenges, and future priorities of participants is essential for fostering engagement and enhancing the network’s impact. A recent Quick Poll survey provided insights into these aspects, shedding light on what drives participation, the perceived benefits, and the barriers practitioners face.

Methods

Study Design and Participants

This is a cross-sectional survey with dental practitioner members of the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network in the United States.

Data collection and analysis

Members of the network were invited to participate in an online survey through email and social media channels Facebook and Instagram. Two email invitations were sent to all members: one in the network’s monthly newsletter sent on July 16, 2024, to 8,301 members, and two follow-up emails sent on July 24, 2024, to 8,302 members and August 1, 2024 to 85 members who have been active in a study within the last year. The Quick Poll was open from July 16, 2024, until August 13, 2024. The page was opened 1,776 times and completed 305 times.

The survey content included five questions. The data were collected through a web survey in Constant Contact, a digital and email marketing platform. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results

Quick Poll highlights:

We received feedback from about 300 members and our main findings were:

1.  Practitioners are primarily motivated by opportunities to stay updated on the latest clinical evidence (76%) and to contribute to research that improves patient care (75%).
2. Most practitioners desire to participate in both questionnaires (65%) and clinical studies (64%), which further underscores your commitment to advancing dental knowledge and practice.
3. Time constraints (47%) are the most significant barrier, followed by patient recruitment and retention challenges (27%) and unclear study protocols (10%).
4. There was strong interest in exploring the impact of corporate dentistry on care quality (48%), leveraging artificial intelligence for diagnosis (47%), and advancing research methodologies (40%).

The final sample size was 305.

Motivations for Participation: Participants are primarily motivated by the opportunity to stay updated on the latest clinical evidence (76%) and their desire to contribute to dental research that improves patient care (75%). Additional motivators include participation in questionnaire studies (65%) and clinical studies (64%).

Most Beneficial Engagement Activities

The most valued benefit of participating in the network is the timely sharing of study results (28%), followed by opportunities for feedback and collaboration (19%), and access to study webinars and seminars (14%).

Learning About New Studies

Email newsletters emerged as the primary channel for disseminating information about new studies, with 89% of respondents identifying it as their main source. Webinars and virtual meetings (11%) and social media platforms (3%) play a smaller role.

Challenges in Participation

The most significant barriers to participation are time constraints (47%), followed by challenges with patient recruitment and retention (27%), and unclear study protocols and procedures (10%).

Future Research Directions 

Survey respondents expressed strong interest in research on the impact of corporate dentistry on quality of care (48%), the application of artificial intelligence for diagnosis (47%), and the development of new research methodologies or technologies (40%).

Conclusions and Recommendations

Participants in the National Dental PBRN are driven by their dedication to improving patient care and keeping up with the latest clinical advancements. Some practitioners reported facing challenges to participate in research due to time constraints and difficulties with patient recruitment.

To strengthen engagement and participation, the following recommendations are proposed:

• Enhance communication through personalized email outreach.
• Simplify study protocols and provide even more clear guidance to practitioners and staff participating in the Network studies.
• Incentivize future research in areas like artificial intelligence, corporate dentistry, and innovative research methodologies.

These steps will ensure that the network remains relevant, impactful, and aligned with the needs and interests of its members.

See past Quick Polls

Click here to view a list of all of our past Quick Polls and their results.