Dental screening of school children

ObjectivesTo determine dental attendance and treatment outcomes following two models of dental screening.DesignAn observational prospective cohort study.SettingInfant, primary and junior schools in the North West of England.SubjectsChildren aged six to nine years at the start of the study.ResultsIn 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.ConclusionsSchool 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.