Presentation of Certain Parameters Found In 2009-2013 Annual Dental Medicine Reports

The Croatian Institute of Public Health (CIPH) collects health care related statistical data based on the Republic of Croatia's Annual Plan of Implementation of Statistical Activities. The purpose of this study was to analyse the CIPH data retrieved from annual reports, obtained from contractual teams and institutions related to dental medicine activities, collected in respective counties and for the entire country.

The data were collected from the Croatian Statistical Health Care Yearbook for the period from 2009 to 2013.

The analysis has shown the increase in the number of insured persons (5%), but the decrease in the number of persons who received care (10%) and the increase in the number of visits (14%) and general examinations (13%). The majority of the beneficiaries were from the City of Zagreb with the highest number of visits, but with a low number of general examinations included in these visits (11%); while the Zadar County had the highest number of general examinations in terms of dental health care users (90.6%) and the proportion of general examinations in visits (30%). The most common diagnosis was dental caries (43%). The incomplete and insufficient reporting from some counties, inadequate recording of diagnoses and of curative and preventive procedures could be the factors affecting the quantity and quality of obtained data. Proper and regular submissions of reports to counties' public health institutes, regular preventive examinations, adequate recording of diagnoses and procedures would contribute positively to further health planning and the implementation of preventive measures for the improvement of oral health.

The data analysis gives an insight into the current situation allowing on such basis further planning and conducting of activities at national and local level. Further analyses would help to get a better perspective and improvement of dental medicine activities.