Evaluation of three years of dental care of adolescents in the Public Dental Service in west Sweden.

107 individuals, randomly selected from the County of Göteborg and Bohuslän, all born in 1970 were followed regarding the dental care received 1987-1989. The records of each individual from the actual time were collected and information on diagnosis and treatment measures was gathered. Radiographs from the actual time were studied by one of the authors. Sixty-two per cent of the adolescents had been examined and treated all 3 years. Six percent had not been seen at all. The sample was divided into three groups depending on the patient's DFSa value at the examination the first year. This classification appeared to correlate well with caries development in the following years. One-fourth of the sample was responsible for the major part of the non-attendance and late cancellations. The dental health of these subjects was below average, and non-attendance seemed to be a further risk factor. The preventive measures undertaken during the study appeared to correlate poorly with the actual situation of the patient and the presence or absence of potential risk factors.