Trends in oral health in the aging population.

Increased survival of the natural dentition, persistence of periodontal disease, deterioration of prior dental restorations, root surface caries, and continued incidence of oral cancer represent a complex of emerging oral health problems of the aged in the United States. Additional data on the epidemiology of oral mucous membrane syndromes will help to characterize the prevalence of these diseases in the aging population as well. Improvement in the utilization and accessibility of dental services by the aging cohorts will contribute to the prevention of oral disease in the future.

Investigation of the relationship between clinically detected loss of attachment and radiographic changes in early periodontal disease.

A total of 383 students, ages 12-16, were examined clinically to determine periodontal attachment loss by a trained examiner, utilizing standard techniques. 70 of these were selected, for whom bitewing radiographs were available for assessment of early alveolar bone loss by 2 radiologists and a general dentist, utilizing 4 criteria. The results indicate poor agreement between clinical and radiographic diagnoses by the 3 examiners.

Achieving health outcomes through professional dental care: comparing the cost of dental treatment for children in three practice modes.

The search for effective strategies to deal with prevention and treatment of oral disease focuses on children as a natural target population. This article reports data on the comparative costs of delivering dental care to children via (1) a school-based practice using Expanded Function Dental Auxiliaries, (2) a school-based practice without EFDAs, and (3) a group of unrelated private dental practices operating independent of the school system. Utilization of a dentist's services varied significantly between the children assigned to private care and those assigned to the school-based programs, but it cost less per patient to provide dental treatment through the private practitioners.