Task 1 – the Report

1. Task 1 – the Report Suggestions for content

2. Remember The scenario is looking at discovering reasons for why attendees at dentists have dropped off in recent years.

3. Look carefully at the assessment objectives “Candidates should be encouraged to undertake research into the problem presented so that they can: • Fully understand the issues behind the problem • See what other studies have already been conducted.” “Candidates will benefit from setting hypothesis which are both realistic and testable and founded on well researched information”

4. Look carefully at the assessment objectives “Having carried out the research candidates will need to put forward their own explanations for the trends observed …” “Having set out their hypothesis they (candidates) will need to define some of the terms they use ..” “…consider the effects you would be likely to observe if your hypothesis were correct” Use the above to “…determine the sorts and level of data required ..” You will need to consider the issues in the data protection act that apply.

5. Your report could thus look at What has changed recently regarding the NHS and dental treatment: • Has there been any particular reductions i.e. one sort of treatment over another • Is there any change in what dentists are doing i.e. more extractions v more fillings • Changes in pay structures for dentists • Changes in fees • Changes in who qualifies for free treatment and who does not. Can you source • Stats re the changes in people attending dentists i.e. is this a massive drop off or a minor one. • A measure of dental health and how that has changed over the years. Now isn’t the place to suggest that there is a link between people attending and dental health but it will be a key factor in your summing up at the end.

6. Your report could thus look at You ought perhaps to summarise costs as they are now and if possible as they were some years ago. Again now isn’t the time to suggest this is the reason for falling numbers but it will form part of your summary at the end. Has the advise from dentists themselves changed ? • What is the general advise re frequency of visits, • What are dentists saying re preventive treatment. What sort of treatments are available and what do they mean. Your reports audience may not understand for example what the various options e.g. crown, filling, bridge etc. are. This is not a manual on dentistry but if you are suggesting things have changed is that because treatments themselves have changed. N.B. Remember to quote/reference your sources

7. Your Hypothesis You need to set out your hypothesis – remember it needs to be a complex one. As part of this you need to give • the criteria you will use to test it • the data you will need to collect • the methods you will use to collect and process this data N.B. the guidance asks you to comment on the implications under the Data Protection Act and what you will do to ensure compliance.