Ahmed Bhayat1, Peter Cleaton-Jones. 1. Dental Research Institute, Medical Research Council, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. cleatonjonesp@dentistry.wits.ac.jp
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To compare patient attendance rates 1 year before and after the introduction of free primary dental health services in Soweto, South Africa. METHODS: Monthly clinic records for clinic attendance, both casual and booked, and number of dental operators were recorded 1 year either side of April 1996. RESULTS: Patient attendance fluctuated by day and season. There was a mean 46% increase in attendance after free primary dental health services were introduced, with more than a sixfold increase in casual attendees (pain, sepsis) than in booked patients (restorative treatment, dentures, orthodontics). CONCLUSIONS: There was a statistically significant increase in casual patient attendance in the year after free primary dental health care was introduced with an increased dental operator load.
OBJECTIVE: To compare patient attendance rates 1 year before and after the introduction of free primary dental health services in Soweto, South Africa. METHODS: Monthly clinic records for clinic attendance, both casual and booked, and number of dental operators were recorded 1 year either side of April 1996. RESULTS:Patient attendance fluctuated by day and season. There was a mean 46% increase in attendance after free primary dental health services were introduced, with more than a sixfold increase in casual attendees (pain, sepsis) than in booked patients (restorative treatment, dentures, orthodontics). CONCLUSIONS: There was a statistically significant increase in casual patient attendance in the year after free primary dental health care was introduced with an increased dental operator load.