PRACTICE PROFILE OF PERIODONTISTS IN CANADA: A NATIONAL SURVEY.

Results: The response rate was 164/280 (58.6%); 135 respondents completed the entire survey. Of the respondents who noticed changes in referral dynamics in the last 10 years (68.1%), most (61.9%) perceived an overall decrease in the number of referrals, and 74.0% reported that general dentists were referring patients later in the disease progression. The most common referrals (71.6%) were for limited treatment. Most respondents placed dental implants (93.7%) and performed maxillary sinus lifts (81.6%). All performed surgical debridement, esthetic and prerestorative crown lengthening and connective tissue grafts. Only 13.7% provided photodynamic therapy. Fewer years in practice (< 20 years), more recent graduation (after 1990) and younger age (< 45 years) were correlated with greater use of single-implant placement, sinus lifts and procedures requiring intravenous sedation. Men were more likely than women to use lasers (p = 0.020).