Changes of dental treatment pattern in Norway in the 1970s.

With the aim of gauging utilization rates of dental services, a series of cross-sectional studies were performed in 1973, 1975 adnd 1977. Cluster samples of 1,600 individuals covering the Norwegian population aged 15 and above were interviewed by trained interviewers using standardized questions. The percentage of respondents who reported having seen a dentist within the last 12 months increased from 58 to 64. The receipt of tooth fillings was the predominant course of treatment and was reported by 55% of the interviewees. The percentage reporting preventive services increased from 15 to 26% at the expense of those reporting "blood and vulcanite" denistry. Fifty-two percent, increasing to 53% of the interviewers, claimed to have seen a dentist on a regular basis during the last 5 years. However, this proportion was conceivably overreported. Control questions indicated that 40-45% should be considered regular treatment attenders. Change is apparently taking place in the treatment pattern. The proportion of regular treatment attenders seems to increase by 0.5-1% per year. The treatment profile is also shifting: extractions and denture services are diminishing, preventive services are gaining, while restorative dentistry stands still - for the time being.