Abstract
Background: Limited evidence exists to inform best practice approaches to implement school-based dental screening to address child retention via referral for dental services. This research tested the null hypothesis that a targeted school-based dental check-up program (intervention) has a 75% child retention rate for public dental care (H0 = 0.75). Methods: A prospective non-randomised controlled trial was conducted with a convenience sampling approach in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia. Children in the intervention group were recruited from two preschools and two primary schools from a low socioeconomic area. Children in the standard care group were recruited from the local public dental service. Statistical analysis was performed using Stata IC Version 12. Results: Children in the intervention (45%) were significantly less likely to have never had a dental check-up compared to standard care (20%) (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference for the child retention rate for the intervention group when compared against the null hypothesis (p = 0.954). The total society costs were AU$754.7 and AU$612.2 for the intervention and standard care groups, respectively (p = 0.049). Conclusions: This validation study provides evidence that a targeted school-based dental check-up program can achieve a 75% child retention rate and should be considered for program expansion.
Highlights
Untreated childhood dental caries in the deciduous dentition is the 10th most prevalent health condition affecting 9.0% of the global child population in 2010 and its prevalence has remained relatively unchanged [1]
Population oral health surveillance data shows that 57.4% of children aged 13–14 years have never visited a dental practitioner before age 5 [2]
For the standard care group, children from the same age range were recruited by the local public dental service, which provides community healthcare services, including dental services, to residents living in the City of Whittlesea
Summary
Untreated childhood dental caries in the deciduous dentition is the 10th most prevalent health condition affecting 9.0% of the global child population in 2010 and its prevalence has remained relatively unchanged [1]. In Australia, 27.1% of children aged 5–10 have untreated dental caries in the deciduous dentition and 10.9% of children aged 6–14 years have untreated dental caries in the permanent dentition [2]. Population oral health surveillance data shows that 57.4% of children aged 13–14 years have never visited a dental practitioner before age 5 [2]. Among children aged 2–17 years from low-income families, only 37.9% of children eligible under the Child Dental Benefits Scheme (CDBS) have claimed benefits under the program [4]. Limited evidence exists to inform best practice approaches to implement school-based dental screening to address child retention via referral for dental services. Children in the standard care group were recruited from the local public dental service.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
