[Range of systematic local treatment with fluorides in school dental health care in 1973/74 and in public health dentistry in 1974].

In 1975 data were collected on the extent to which children and teenages elible for free dental care in the School Dental Service and the Public Dental Services particpated in programmes consisting of self- or professionally administered topical applications of fluoride solutions. Results apply to the school year 1973/74 for the School Dental Service and the calendar year 1974 for the Public Dental Services. Of the reported number of persons 6--17 years of age who were eligible for free systematic dental care under School Dental Service and Public Dental Services 70 and 67 per cent respectively, rinsed, brushed or had fluoride solutions professionally applied to their teeth. Participation was greatest among children 7--13 years of age, namely 87--89 per cent. 61 to 80 per cent of those participating in a programme brushed their teeth with fluoride solutions under supervision at school while 14--38 per cent received fluoride rinses. Professionally administered topical applications were reported for 8--12 per cent of participants in these preventive programmes. Comparisons with results of a similar survey 2 years earlier suggest increasing systematic use of topical fluoride applications in mass prophylactic programmes. Information about preventive activities is not included in the routine reports on the work carried out in the School Dental Service and the Public Dental Service. On the basis of the experience gained from this survey, it is proposed that data on preventive activities should be collected routinely as an integral part of a public dental services monitoring system.