Study of patterns evolution of children dental services utilization

Objectives: This study investigates the development of the utilization of dental care, the public services and the private care providers were compared. Methods: The covered population was 24.043 children in 1990 and 145.000 children in 2005. The offer of the Basque Government program includes treatments in permanent teeth (excludes orthodontics) and the patient can choose the public or private system. The fluoridation of the public water begins in 1985 and the 62% population is covered. Results: Changes in utilization of dental services were analysed during 15 years and they show : in 1990 the program covered only 7 years old children and it was used by 35,2%, in 1998 with all children covered, it was used by 62.1% and in 2005 by the 64,5%. The general tendency to 2015 gives us a R² of 0,487. The public sector in 1998 was used by 21.6% and private 78.4% and in 2005 sector public 10.5% and private 89,5%. The tendency to 2015 gives a R² in public sector of 0,853 and 0.630 in private sector. Discussion: The program has shown an increase in its use throughout the time, although from year 1998 their rates show stability between the 62.2% for this year and the 64.5% for 2005. However there is a strong reduction of the use of the public sector. The public centres are very limited and they presented worse accessibility. If this tendency will continue most of the native population will use the private sector and the public sector will stay only for emigrants. Conclusion: Up to 1998 an increase of the rate of use of the children dental program was observed, although today this increase has stabilised. The different pattern of utilization with preference by the private services is due to its better accessibility.