Development in dental caries among children in 1961-79 in a Danish community with school dental service.

Data on prevalence of dental caries and increment of treated teeth are reported from children receiving dental care from a Public Child Dental Health Service established in 1959. Data are obtained from records in three periods: 1961-63, 1968-70, and 1976-78. The prevalence of dental caries in 8-year-olds (n approximately 300) after initial dental care remained at the same level in 1961 and 1968. In 1976 the prevalence was reduced by 30%. Increments of treated teeth in 8-11-year-old children (n approximately 1600) were reduced by more than 50% from 1961-63 to 1968-70, but remained then at the same level in 1976-78. Increments of restored surfaces of permanent incisor teeth were reduced by 90% in 1968-70 and further by 50% to almost nil in 1976-78. These data suggest a remarkable reduction in caries activity in the population, presumably resulting from the school-based preventive programs introduced in 1960, and widespread use of fluoridated dentifrice in Denmark from 1968. The apparently maintained level of restorative work in the last period is discussed and interpreted in the light of the more favorable dentist to population ratio and the markedly reduced intervals of recall visits in the same period.