A Validation and Cost-Analysis Study of a Targeted School-Based Dental Check-Up Intervention: Children's Dental Program.

Background: Limited evidence exists to inform best practice approaches to implement school-based dental screening to address child retention via referral for dental services. This research tested the null hypothesis that a targeted school-based dental check-up program (intervention) has a 75% child retention rate for public dental care (H = 0.75).

Methods: A prospective non-randomised controlled trial was conducted with a convenience sampling approach in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia. Children in the intervention group were recruited from two preschools and two primary schools from a low socioeconomic area. Children in the standard care group were recruited from the local public dental service. Statistical analysis was performed using Stata IC Version 12.

Results: Children in the intervention (45%) were significantly less likely to have never had a dental check-up compared to standard care (20%) ( < 0.001). There was no significant difference for the child retention rate for the intervention group when compared against the null hypothesis ( = 0.954). The total society costs were AU$754.7 and AU$612.2 for the intervention and standard care groups, respectively ( = 0.049).

Conclusions: This validation study provides evidence that a targeted school-based dental check-up program can achieve a 75% child retention rate and should be considered for program expansion.