The content of good dental care: methodology in a formulation for clinical standards and audits, and preliminary findings.

Abstract

The opinions of a panel of active private-practice general dentists who hold Faculty and Hospital appointments at Yale were sollicited. Interviews were conducted by staff dentists using a detailed structured interview schedule which extends to prevention, examination, treatment planning, and treatment for various categories of patients. The information obtained through the interviews was consolidated and indexes were developed for the good care in dental caries, malocclusions, periodontal problems, oral surgical problems, prosthetic problems, endodontal problems, oral manifestations of systemic diseases, and other dental conditions. The standards and indexes should be useful for clinical audit, for comparisons of services provided under various organizational arrangements, for educational purposes and for estimated of dental manpower needs and costs.