Conclusive results

Since the autumn of 2021, GBT-certified practices and clinics have been conducting the survey among their patients and submitting the completed questionnaires for anonymised evaluation, and 400,978 patients have participated as of 4 November 2024. The questionnaire consists of seven questions answered according to a scale of 0–5. The majority of responses have demonstrated a high level of acceptance of GBT (93.4%–94.6%), the average score being approximately 4.7. In a direct comparison of GBT with previous prophylaxis methods (hand instruments, brushes and polishing pastes), 94.1% of the respondents expressed a preference for the GBT protocol. Similarly, 93.6% rated GBT highly regarding the absence of pain during treatment.

The vast majority (93.4%) also consider biofilm disclosure—an integral part of GBT—to be useful. This technique is employed by the dental hygienist as a quality control measure to ensure that biofilm has been completely removed and provides patients with a foundation for improved oral hygiene.

To deliver GBT treatment at the highest level, the practice team must undergo theoretical and practical training from the Swiss Dental Academy, the EMS institute for continuing education.

The GBT experience

Patients desire effective preventive care delivered in a structured, pain-free and relaxed manner and employing state-of-the-art science and technology. To ensure patient retention—and thus the economic success of the dental practice—it is essential to provide preventive treatment that meets these criteria: the GBT experience. Dental teams also benefit from the systematic concept and ergonomically optimised devices and techniques of GBT. According to unanimous user feedback, these features help prevent the repetitive strain caused by the daily, time-intensive use of hand instruments.¹⁵

The results of the survey presented here, involving more than 400,000 patients from practices routinely employing GBT, demonstrate the method’s high level of acceptance in everyday clinical practice. These findings corroborate those of a study at the University of Zurich in Switzerland in which 96% of the patients surveyed expressed a preference for GBT over conventional prophylaxis methods involving hand instruments and polishers.¹⁶ Evidently, GBT remains the absolute favourite for professional prophylaxis among patients.