Fear of falling in obese women under 50 years of age: a cross-sectional study with exploration of the relationship with physical activity.

Background: An understanding of capacity for physical activity in obese populations should help guide interventions to promote physical activity. Fear of falling is a phenomenon reported in the elderly, which is associated with reduced mobility and lower physical activity levels. However, although falls are reportedly common in obese adults, fear of falling and its relationship with activity has not been investigated in younger obese populations.

In their own words: investigating the preparedness of final year dental students in the UK for independent general dental practice.

Introduction: There is relatively little data on the preparedness of UK dental graduates for independent general dental practice. Two recent studies have indicated that graduates appear well prepared, but although quantifying the level of preparedness, they provide limited understanding of the underlying factors contributing to preparedness. This study aims to more deeply understand the contributing factors leading to assertions of graduate preparedness using focus groups of final year dental students, and semi-structured interviews of senior faculty members.

How prepared are foundation dentists in England and Wales for independent general dental practice?

Introduction The Graduate Assessment of Preparedness for Practice (GAPP) questionnaire has been shown to be valid and reliable in assessing the preparedness of foundation dentists (FDs) for independent general dental practice (GDP). In this study it is used to establish preparedness at six weeks of dental foundation training (DFT) across England and Wales.Method GAPP questionnaires were sent to all FDs and ESs in England and Wales in mid-September 2012.

The development and piloting of the graduate assessment of preparedness for practice (GAPP) questionnaire.

Introduction Most new dental graduates in the UK begin their professional career following a year in dental foundation training (DFT). There has been little investigation of how prepared they feel for independent general dental practice across all four domains of the General Dental Council's curriculum 'Preparing for practice'. This paper describes the development of the Graduate Assessment of Preparedness for Practice (GAPP) questionnaire to address this.