Abstract

Four matched pairs of geographically and socially contrasting areas of Britain were randomly allocated within pairs to either a capitation or fee-for-service payment system for the dental care of children in a 3-year clinical trial. Measurements were made on the dental health of randomly selected 5-6 and 14-15-year-old patients and the views of their parents elicited. Patterns of treatment were also gained from the clinical records of randomly selected patients. In addition, the views of the dentists taking part, of the profession's representatives, and of the administrators of the systems were obtained. No evidence of systematic neglect could be found among the children treated under capitation, but they had fewer fillings, more untreated diseased teeth and similar disease levels to their counterparts treated under fee-for-service. Dentists in capitation carried out fewer fillings, fewer extractions, took fewer radiographs and saw their patients less frequently than their fee-for-service colleagues