[The new law concerning public health services in North Rhine- Westphalia--essentials and perspectives in dentistry].

A new regulation affecting the public health services (OGDG) in North Rhine Westphalia has been in effect since 1st January 1998. The present authors--members of a ministerial workgroup responsible for guidelines and recommendations for the implementation of the new regulation--have made an attempt to formulate the substantial and formal essentials of section 13 ODGD (dental health in children and the young) and its future perspectives in light of the reorientation of the national health service and, in particular, of dental services.