The provision of crowns in the General Dental Service 1948-1988

Crowns have been available under the NHS Regulations since the beginning of the NHS in 1948, and details of the incidence of the various types of crowns are held by the Dental Practice Board, Eastbourne. These records are analysed to show, among other trends, that the number of crowns increased to a peak in 1987, with the highest incidence in the 31-40 age group of patients. There was considerable variation in numbers of crowns provided by dentists in different areas of England and Wales, and the number of crowns provided varied with the age of the dentist. Relaxation in prior approval requirements before crowns could be provided does not seem to have had any marked long-term effect on the numbers of crowns provided.