Recall intervals: effect on treatment needs of the handicapped patient: a retrospective study.
The purpose of the retrospective study was to examine the effect of recall intervals on incidence of dental caries in handicapped patients. Data was collected from patient records of a private pediatric dental practice. Variables examined were time of the recall interval, age, race and sex of the patient, handicap, and whether the patient lived in a fluoridated area or not. Approximately six hundred charts were reviewed which resulted in 83 patients that qualified for the study. Of the 83 patients in the study, 57 did not have dental caries at the recall visit. The relationship between increased caries activity and recall interval was not significant. However, a trend indicating an increased chance of developing caries after a twelve month recall interval was detected.
Maurer
S M
SM
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, VCU-MCV School of Dentistry, Richmond VA 23298, USA.
Boggs
A M
AM
Mourino
A P
AP
Farrington
F H
FH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019140:Dental Care for Children / Q000379:methods; D003730:Dental Care for Persons with Disabilities / Q000379:methods*; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005457:Fluoridation; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors