Trends in oral healthcare. Caries prevalence and frequency of visits to the dentist for checkups

In 2003 the project 'Changes in oral health and preventive behaviour'was carried out for the sixth time in succession in The Netherlands. Children and adolescents were asked to fill out a questionnaire and to participate in an oral health examination. Compared to the 1996/1997 results 9-year-olds had a lower incidence of FS and DMFS, 14-year-olds had a higher incidence of DS, and 20-year-olds had a larger number of DS and a smaller number of FS, DMFS and DMFT in 2003. The care index in 2003 was between 48% and 68%. Compared to the 1996/1997 results more 21-year olds visited the dentist annually instead of twice a year. Considering possible consequences of the change in the Dutch health insurance system as of January 2006, such tendencies need careful monitoring.