INDIVIDUALIZING RECALL INTERVALS IN CHILD DENTAL-CARE

Individualizing and extending recall intervals for children have been recommended in Norway to target resources efficiently. Recall interval s were changed for children aged 3-18 years in Drammen from 1991. Clin ical time spent by dentists and dental hygienists, dental health statu s and length of recall intervals were registered from 1990 to 1993. Fo r the child population, the mean recall interval changed from 12.5 to 13.7 months and the annual time spent per child was reduced by 14% fro m 1990-91 to 1992-93. Adjusted for the decline in number of new decaye d teeth, the reduction in time spent was 11%. Children with intervals of 17 to 20 months had fewer new decayed teeth and their care required less personnel time than other children. For children with new decaye d teeth, time spent for dental care was not associated with recall int erval, while for children without new decayed teeth, longer recall int ervals were associated with shorter time for dental care. The variatio n in number of decayed teeth and time spent for dental care was substa ntial at all intervals. Individualizing and extending recall intervals to some extent targeted resources at children with more dental diseas e. However, in the short run, inequality in dental health persisted. L imited extension of recall intervals did not interrupt the long-term t rend toward better dental health in the children and substantial resou rces were saved in the dental services.