title: Differences in treatment approach between Dutch paediatric dentists and general practitioners, a case control study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This case control study was to assess whether paediatric dentists perform significantly more diagnostic, preventive and curative care in a clinical setting then do general dental practitioners.
  
  
  METHODS
  16 paediatric dentists were approached and a matching control group of 16 general dental practitioners drawn from an insurance random list were selected based on matching age, practice composition and year of graduation. They were asked by mail to participate. Positive respondents were visited. All children seen during the visit were included in this study. During intra-oral inspection DMFS/dmfs was clinically scored, as were the availability of bitewings, gender, presence of fissure sealants, visibility of plaque and gingivitis and presence of fistulas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Statistical analysis was carried out by using SPSS 15, p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Paediatric dentists treat a greater number of younger children (p<0.05), placed more restorations and sealants (p<0.01), take more bitewing radiographs (p<0.01) and give a similar level of care to all children irrespective of their age compared to children seen by general dental practitioners.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Paediatric dentists perform significantly more diagnostic, preventive and curative care in the clinical situation for 0-6 year old children than do general dental practitioners.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Paediatric Dentistry, ACTA, Gustav Mahlerlaan 3004, 1081 LA Amsterdam, Netherlands. dieuwertjekuin@gmail.com
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kuin
authors.forename: J S J
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Veerkamp
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004245:DMF Index; D019140:Dental Care for Children / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005792:General Practice, Dental / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016555:Matched-Pair Analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D010377:Pediatric Dentistry / Q000379:methods*; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants; D019239:Practice Patterns, Dentists' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011313:Preventive Dentistry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011861:Radiography, Dental
chemical_list: D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants