The effectiveness of school dental screening: dental attendance and treatment of those screened positive.
OBJECTIVE
To determine dental attendance and treatment outcomes following two models of dental screening.


METHODS
An observational prospective cohort study.


METHODS
Infant, primary and junior schools in the North West of England.


METHODS
Children aged six to nine years at the start of the study.


METHODS
Subjects received a screening examination according to either a 'Traditional model' or 'New model' of school dental screening.


METHODS
Attendance at a dentist within four months of the intervention and treatment received by children referred via the 'New model' with caries in their permanent teeth.


RESULTS
In the 'New model' of school dental screening 46% of screened positive and 41% of screened negative children attended a dentist during the study period. Some 44% of children referred with caries in permanent teeth attended a dentist and 53% of those attending received treatment for the referred condition. Larger proportions of children from disadvantaged backgrounds were screened positive but higher proportions of children from more affluent backgrounds attended the dentist and subsequently received treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
School dental screening has a minimal impact on dental attendance and only a small proportion of screened positive children receive appropriate treatment. The programme fails to reduce inequalities in utilisation of dental services.
Milsom
K M
KM
Department of Dental Research and Development, Halton NHS Primary Care Trust, Moston Lodge, Countess of Chester Health Park, Liverpool Road, Chester. keith.milsom@cahc-tr.nwest.nhs.uk
Threlfall
A G
AG
Blinkhorn
A S
AS
Kearney-Mitchell
P I
PI
Buchanan
K M
KM
Tickle
M
M
D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003149:Community Dentistry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D004739:England; D005792:General Practice, Dental / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D011331:Private Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012571:School Dentistry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012923:Social Class; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data