Changing trends in dental restorative treatment needs of Naval Recruits 1987–1989—Disease or Diagnosis?

Abstract

The restorative treatment needs of 9960 young men and women who entered the Naval Service at HMS Raleigh between January 1987 and April 1989 are summarised. A marked increase in the numbers of fillings required and a decrease in the proportion considered to be dentally fit occurred in May 1988 and has continued as a trend thereafter. Weighted non-orthogonal analysis of variances have been conducted to assess the significance of clinical and period variables upon the changes.