CPITN: a tool in the planning of dental services

The need for a systems approach in the planning of dental public services has been emphasised. A random sample of 1,400 farm labourers and their dependants was assessed using the CPITN index. This data was used to estimate manpower and time requirement based on treatment strategies. Results indicate that virtually everybody aged 7 years and older (94 per cent) require oral hygiene education, 79 per cent need a scaling, while 5 per cent need complex treatment. The need for scaling increased from 61 per cent among 7 to 19-year-olds to 98 per cent in the over-20-year-olds. A small proportion (22 per cent) of sextants amongst 7 to 19-year-olds need scaling, compared with 82 per cent in the over-20 group. While no sextants in the 7 to 19-year-olds require complex treatment, a negligible proportion (0.43 per cent) among over-20-year-olds need such treatment. The findings are extrapolated to the sample population and the times for each procedure used to calculate resources for treating the sample population. It is estimated that approximately 7.3 working years would be required to provide the necessary treatment. In terms of manpower it is estimated that seven full-time oral hygienists and one part-time dentist will be needed to fulfil the total treatment needs. The CPITN appears to be an appropriate tool in the planning of dental health services. Planners should, however, relate estimates to available resources and establish priorities accordingly.