Dental treatment provided to young adult Danes enrolled in alternative dental programs during a 3-year period.

From age 16 to 19 years three groups of young adults received alternative dental programs on termination of the Public Child Dental Health Service (PCDHS) in different municipalities: public group, n = 386; mixed group, n = 161; and private group, n = 261. During the entire study information on dental service use by the participants was taken from the records and National Health Insurance files. All dental services were calculated relative to a standardized Dental Service Unit defined by the value of a dental examination. During the entire study a mean of 30.53 Dental Service Units were provided, corresponding to 10.18 per year. More than half were of a diagnostic preventive character, and well over one-fourth were fillings. Irrespective of dental program, differences in dental services were noted with regard to utilization of dental services and to initial caries status. Users with high caries experience also received more fillings, but fewer preventive services. No association was found between gingival status and dental services provided.