These letters were first published in the journal Tuith Online between December 1999 and November 2003

  • Lothian General Dental Practitioners Research Group (November 2003). Elaine Downie, Yann Maidment, and Terry Simpson describe how the achievements of TayRen (now EastRen) inspired, in recognition of the valuable contribution which general dental practitioners can make to research in dental primary care, the establishment of the Lothian General Dental Practitioners Research Group
  • West of Scotland Primary Care Research. Glasgow Research Initiative in Dental Practice (GRID) A research network for dentists in the West of Scotland was re-launched at a meeting in Glasgow on the 27th February 2002. GRID offers support for research in Dental Primary care in both General Dental Practice and Community Dental Services. In the past GRID members were primarily involved in Dental Materials research under to mentorship of Professor Trevor Burke.
  • Developing Research in Primary Care - the Scottish Approach. by Sally Wyke (Director), Helena Chesser (Business Manager), and Heather Coupar (Projects Officer). Scottish School of Primary Care (January 2002). The development and delivery of high quality services depend on relevant and effective research evidence. However, in primary care the evidence base remains sparse whilst the capacity of the NHS and Higher Education sectors to undertake the necessary research remains under-developed.
  • Guidelines on the Sidelines Iain Hunter is a GDP practising in Hamilton (December 1999). Sign Guidelines - "Towards Safer Sedation of Children" offers hope for a more prudent future when currently the commonest reason for general anaesthetic administration in under 12s in Scotland is dental extraction.
  • Great Expectations - by the Chief Scientist Professor Graeme Catto (December 1999). The challenge for the new public health is to determine what really matters from what is of lesser importance - and ensure that all government departments and agencies co-ordinate their efforts appropriately. The NHS has, paradoxically, a relatively small if important part to play in this process.
  • Pip Thomas P.D.(Pip) Thomas is a GDP practising in Manchester (December 1999). Pip Thomas tells us why he thinks GDPs should get involved in research and what they can expect to get out of it.