DENTAL TIME STUDY RESULTS IN RELATION TO A MODEL FOR A DENTAL-HEALTH RELATED PATIENT GROUP SYSTEM

Using a time study method, dental care treatment resources were studie d concerning different caries groups of children and adolescents 3-19 years of age. The results were applied to a model for a dental health related patient group system as a tool for presenting the dental care situation. Quality assurance aspects of a dental health related patien t group system, adapted for use in general dental care, had led to a s uggested model system: ''Dental Visiting Groups'' (DVG). The DVG syste m tooks into consideration the fact that dental care was performed by three dental care-giving personnel groups - dentists, dental hygienist s and dental assistants - giving dental care in three main areas of de ntal procedures: diagnostic, prevention and intervention. The DVG syst em implied a model of Swedish dentistry in change, and presented the r elationships among the dental health related patient groups, the three main areas of dental procedures, and the tasks of the dental care-giv ers. Applied over time, the DVG system illustrated the efficiency of t he dental care model used.