Abstract
This study was conducted to examine the effectiveness of a recall system for 12-year-olds comparing the caries status at the initial visit to a pediatric dental clinic. The recall group was consisted of 127 children who participated in a regular oral health check up system. Six hundred and sixty five children were also enrolled as a control group. The following results were obtained:
1. The caries prevalence and df-t at the initial visit (3-5 yrs.) in the recall group were 84.3% and 6.74, and those at 3 years of age in the control group were 65.6% and 3.80, respectively.
2. The caries prevalence was 65.6% for the recall group, and 93.4% for the control group at 12 years of age.
3. There were no differences in caries prevalence and DMFT at 12 years of age in the four recall groups divided according to the caries status at the initial visit.
4. The recall group had a lower number of carious teeth (DMFT) compared with control group at 12years of age (p<0.001).
5. Over 80% of all of the subjects in the recall group achieved the WHO's goals for oral health by the year 2000 i. e. less than 3 DMFT at 12 years of age.
These results suggested that the recall system was effective for caries prevention in a pediatric dental clinic. Key words: Recall system, Caries prevention, Longitudinal study
