Field testing of an information system for planning and evaluating dental services

A survey of the dental health and need for treatment of 796 children, one in 10 of those in the 1st and 3rd years of high schools in a health administrative area, was carried out using a comprehensive, computerized, epidemiological information system. The system was designed to aid in planning and evaluating services and expressed treatment need on the Resource Related Index as well as utilizing conventional indices. A baseline profile of the dental condition of children in four districts was obtained. This was compared with findings from other surveys. The problem of interexaminer reliability was also discussed.