Dental health care, 2001

At the end of 2001 there was a slight decline of 0.6 per cent in the total number of employees within the public dental health care compared with figures from 2000. The slight decline is following a trend seen during the last ten years. If we look at the period from 1997-2001 there has been a gradual decline. In the five-year period the number of man-years has decreased about 7 per cent, a reduction of 217 man-years.

Decline in dentist man-years

The total number of dentist man-years within public dental health care went down by four per cent at the end of 2001 compared with figures from 2000. The decrease is significantly less than earlier. There was an increase of almost 7 per cent, 53 man-years, of dentists working full-time, and a decrease of 59 dentists working part time. This is due to organizational changes.

Activity in 2001

About 93 per cent, 990 005 persons, of the largest group given priority, children and youths between 1 and 18 years, were registered within the public dental health care in 2001. 69 per cent, 640 316 persons, of children and youths between 3 and 18 were examined or treated. In addition to children and youths, the public dental health care is offering dental health services to youths 19-20 years, mentally retarded persons 20 years and older, elderly and sick persons in institutions and persons receiving home help, and other groups granted this care by county administrations.

In 2001, there were 1 147 616 registered persons belonging to these groups, about 30 per cent of the total population in Norway.

Tables:

• Table 1 Employees, public dental health care 2001
• Table 2 Man-years, public dental health care. 1992-2001
• Table 3 Estimated man-years, private dental health care. 2001