title: Decrease of dental treatments over a 15-year period in the Canton of Ticino.
abstract: The evolution of the number of therapeutic services rendered within the School Dental Service in the Canton of Ticino over a period of 15 years is presented. A 45% decrease in the number of conservative treatments took place from the school year 1977/78 to 1984/85. New amalgam fillings per year on permanent teeth decreased by 34%, those on deciduous teeth by 46% and composite fillings by 43%. The possible reasons for the decline of tooth decay are discussed. Decrease in treatments rendered is shown to be feasible in a short period of time when institutionalized dental care delivery is put into practice by motivated practitioners.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ruggia
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ferrazzini
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology; D003752:Dental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology