A longitudinal analysis of the dental consumption in the Netherlands

Objective: In order to get information on the nature and scope of the utilization of dental services by the Dutch population, for several years now research has been conducted into this subject by the Dutch Dental Association (NMT). Methods: To this purpose each year dentists record the various dental procedures which they perform on a (2%) longitudinal sample of their patients. In this way, from the practices of 308 dentists data was accumulated on the dental care utilization during the years 1998 2002 of 15.667 patients who in those five years received dental treatment at least once. The data was analysed by using SPSS. Results: In this five year period 14.907 (95%) of the patients had at least one dental check up, whereas in the case of 8.810 (56%) patients this procedure was performed once or more frequently each year. In the case of 33% of the youngsters (aged 17 or younger in 2002) in this group of regularly attending patients one or more intraoral X rays were made, whereas 76% received preventive treatment (fluoride application, tartar removal and/or sealants) and 69% curative treatment (fillings, root canal treatment, cast metal crown, extraction and/or initial periodontal treatment). Consequently, for adults (aged 22 or over in 2002) these percentages are 76%, 28% and 86%. Furthermore, it appears that in the group of patients who visited their dentist on an annual basis for a dental check up in 1998 47.6 and in the year 2002 53.8 fillings were inserted in 100 youngsters and in 100 adults in 1998 84.7 and in 2002 74.3 fillings. Conclusion: This information is of importance to the NMT for evaluating changes in the financial structure of the dental care system and for setting out its policies and strategy with regard to dental manpower and dental economic affairs.