Assessment of the communication methods used by Local Dental Committees (LDCs) with their members, the importance of a website presence, and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Authors: Lewis Benjamin 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Aims: To gather the opinions of Local Dental Committee (LDC) members on their communication strategies, the importance of a website present and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Design: Mixed method approach with descriptive cross-sectional survey and focus group.
Setting: Online electronic survey and virtual focus group.
Method & Materials: Survey circulated via the British Dental Association (BDA) to the LDCs within the UK via a link in the BDA LDC newsletter. Subsequent focus group held during a LDC Officials Day.
Results: A total of 57 unique responses from different LDCs were received giving a response rate of 56.4%.
Pre-pandemic the LDCs reported holding between 2 and 12 LDC meetings all of which were held Face to Face.
As a result of the pandemic 19.3% (n=11) reduced the frequency of their meetings, 19.3% (n=11) held the same number, but 61.4% (n=35) had held more frequent meetings. During the pandemic, 98.2% (n=54) of LDCs used video conferencing platforms for their meetings, with 70.2% (n=40) expecting to continue to use this modality in the long term.
The main methods of communication used by LDCs are email (87.7%, n=50), website (49.1%, n=28) and word of mouth (38.6%, n=22).
81.3% (n=39) of respondents had an LDC website with the majority (54.3%, n= 25) being open access. However, 73.6% (n=39,) who expressed a view, felt that there should be restricted access to an LDC website. Only 37.8% (17/45) felt that LDC websites were useful in their communication strategy.
The LDC representatives felt that the top five core elements were: Purpose of the LDC/What is the LDC (90.6%, n=48); Membership of the LDC Committee (88.7%, n=47); Forthcoming LDC meeting details - Agenda/minutes/documents/location (77.4%, n=41); Links to external documents/guidance (75.5%, n=40); and Links to support services (75.5%, n=40). Although the relative importance of these elements varied.
The thematic analysis of the focus group revealed the following main themes:
1) Investment – Financial and time
2) Levels of website utilization
3) Use of Social Media
4) Lack of awareness & engagement from local dentists with the LDC
Conclusions:
1) The frequency of LDC meetings and the methods of holding them changed as a response to the pandemic.
2) It is expected that there will be a sustained shift towards holding more LDC meeting virtually in the long term.
3) There are significant difficulties in establishing a comprehensive and contemporaneous list of contact details for the dentists within an LDCs’ area.
4) There are contrasting opinions regarding the usefulness of an LDC website.
5) Establishment of regional LDCs websites offers an opportunity for improved efficiencies and engagement.
6) The majority of respondents felt that certain elements of an LDC website should only be accessible via a log in.
7) LDCs who felt to have the best engagement with the dentists in their area use a plethora of coordinated methods to optimise engagement, but acknowledge that this requires a significant time commitment.