Abstract

The systematic school dental health programmes have been recognized as one of the most effective national dental health measures. This study was conducted to estimate the number of dentists required for the systematic school dental programmes in Korea applying the methodology recommended by WHO. Information necessary for the study was obtained by a mass oral examination to the 1241 primary and middle school students in Kang Wha area. First and 6th grade students from primary school and 3rd year students from middle school were specifically selected for the examination. The results are summarized below: 1) For the Type I program recommended by WHO, 1.8 dentists per 10,000 primary school children were estimated to be necessary. For the Type II program 2.5 dentists, Type III program 2.0 dentists, Type IV program 3.6 dentists per 10,000 primary school children were estimated to be necessary. In order to extend the systematic school dental programmes to the middle students, 2.0 dentists for the Type I program and 2.4 dentists for the Type II program 2.2 dentists for the Type III program, 3.6 dentists for the Type IV program per 10,000 students were estimated to be necessary. 2) If we assume that prophylaxis are done by hygienist, for the Type I program 1.3 dentists and 0.5 hygienist, for the Type II program 1.8 dentists and 0.7 hygienist, for the Type III program 1.3 dentists and 0.7 hygienist, for the Type III program 2.2 dentists and 1.4 hygienists per 10,000 primary school students were estimated to be necessary. In order to extend this program to the middle school, 1.4 dentists and 0.6 hygienist for the Type I program, 1.6 dentists and 0.8 hygienist for the Type II program, 1.4 dentists and 0.8 hygienist for the Type III program, 2.2 dentists and 1.4 hygienist for the Type IV program per 10.000 students were estimated to be necessary.