Service-mix provided to patients in Australian private practice

Service-mix can reflect changes in demographic factors, oral health, patient demand and treatment philosophies. The aim of this study was to compare service-mix by patient age in 1988 with baseline data from 1983. A weighted, stratified random sample of dentists in Australia was surveyed by mailed questionnaire in 1983 and again in 1988. Service-mix was dominated by restorative, diagnostic and preventive areas. Comparing 1988 with 1983, there were significant increases for diagnostic, preventive, advanced restorative, orthodontic and general areas. Patterns across patient age groups and between years indicated younger patients were being provided with increased preventive services (patients aged 5-11, 25-44 years) and decreased restorative services (patients aged 5-11, 12-17 years), while older patients were being provided with reduced prosthodontic services (patients aged 25-44, 45-64 years), but increased restorative services (patients aged 45-64, 65+ years) and advanced restorative services (patients aged 25-44, 45-64 years). These patterns of service-mix have implications for dental education, research and service delivery.