Abstract
AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the care patterns of paediatric dentists and general dentists in the dental treatment of children in the Netherlands. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A case control study was completed based on the financial records of one of the largest Dutch health insurance companies. After medical ethical approval the dental records from 2004, 2005 and 2006 of 16 paediatric dentists were used and compared with the records of general practitioners with the same number of insured paediatric patients from the same age and urbanisation level. Preventive, diagnostic and restorative care for four consecutive age groups (<6, 6–8, 9–11, 12–17 yrs) were used as independent variables. Differences between the dentists and the age groups were tested with the Independent-Sample t-Test and ratios were calculated. RESULTS: Compared with general dentists, paediatric dentists use statistically significant more often rubber-dam (p=0.009) and did more preventive treatments (p<0.001) in children up to aged 11 yrs, more extractions (p<0.001), took more radiographs (p=0.027) and used local analgesia more often (p=0.002) in children until aged 8 yrs and performed more restorations (p=0.02) in children up to 6yrs of age. There was no significant difference in the care pattern of the dentists for the oldest age group (12–17yrs). The care-index for paediatric dentists and general dentists from this research was comparable with Dutch epidemiological studies. CONCLUSION: Compared with general dentists, paediatric dentists have a more extensive treatment approach when treating children. In the youngest age groups the differences are the most pronounced. Further studies are needed to clarify whether the cause is the needs of the patient or an attitude of supervised neglect by the general dentists.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Boelens C, Delahaye M, Truin GJ, Hof MA van ’t. Secular trends of caries experience in 5-, 6-, 11- and 12-year-old Dutch children. Ned Tijdschr Tandheelkd 2001; 108: 487–491.
Heijdra JS, Veerkamp JSJ. Diagnostic and restorative behaviour in Dutch dentists’ paediatric dental care. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent 2007; 8(3): 158–162
Jensma MA, Veerkamp JSJ. Treatability of children according to Dutch dentists. Ned Tijdschr Tandheelkd 2008; 115: 420–422.
Kalsbeek H, Poorterman JHG, Eijkman MAJ. Oral health care in young people insured by a health insurance fund TNO, 2000
Kalsbeek H, Poorterman JHG, Eijkman MAJ, Verrips GH. Oral health care in young people insured by a health insurance fund 1. Changes in the prevalence and treatment of dental caries in the Netherlands between 1987 and 1999. Ned Tijdschr Tandheelkd 2002a; 109: 250–254.
Kalsbeek H, Poorterman JHG, Eijkman MAJ, Verrips GH. Dental care for young people insured by health insurance fund 3. Prevalence and treatment of dental caries between 1987 and 1999. Ned Tijdschr Tandheelkd 2002b; 109: 405–454.
Kalsbeek H, Poorterman J.H.G. Dental caries in the Netherlands at the turn of the century. Ned Tijdschr Tandheelkd 2003; 110: 516–521
McKnight Hanes C, Myers DR, Davis H. Dentists’ perceptions of selected characteristics of their child patients. Pediatr Dent 1994; 16(4): 268–271
McKnight-Hanes C, Myers DR, Dushku JC, Thompson WO, Durham LC. Radiographic recommendations for the primary dentition: a comparison of general dentists and paediatric dentists. Pediatr Dent 1990; 12(4): 212–216
McQuistan MR, Kuthy RA, Daminano PC, Ward MM. General dentists’ referrals of 3- to 5-year-old children to paediatric dentists. J Am Dent Assoc 2006; 137: 653–660.
Schuller AA. Evaluatie Regionale Instellingen voor Jeugdtandverzorging 2005. TNO, 2006.
Roeters FJM, Verdonschot EH, Bronkhorst EM, van’t Hof MA. Prediction of the need for bitewing radiography in detecting caries in the primary dentition. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 1994; 22: 456–460
Truin GJ, König KG, Rijkom H van, et al. Cariësprevalentie bij de Haagse Jeugd. Nemen de verschillen in de gebitsgezondheid tussen de milieus toe? Ned Tijdschr Tandheelkd 1999; 106: 326–329.
van Dam B, Bruers J. The young child in general practice. Ned Tandartsenblad 2003; 58(6): 32–33.
van Ouwerkerk WPhL, Vos N. Ziekenfonds en tandheelkunde in de 20e eeuw. Detandheelkundigezorgverlening in her perspectief van de Nederlandse weten regelgeving. Ned Tijdschr Tandheelkd 2001; 108: 94–97.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Schorer-Jensma, M.A., Veerkamp, J.S.J. A comparison of paediatric dentists’ and general dental practitioners’ care patterns in paediatric dental care. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent 11, 93–96 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03262719
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03262719