Efficiency of dental health care in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

Introduction: Despite the great improvements in the oral health status of the population across the world, oral diseases remains a major public health issue connected with a lost of numerous school days for children
and absenteeism from work in adults. This effect is particularly evident in low and middle income countries as Bosnia and Herzegovina. This retrospective study presents the effi ciency of dental health care
in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina measured by number of visits and performed dental treatments during the time period of six years, from 2005-2011.
Methods: Data were collected by evaluation of the results obtained by forms which are mandatory to be completed by dentists.
Results: The number of graduated dentists from 2007 to 2011 decreased from 108 in 2007 to 68 in 2011. In the same time, number of dentists employed in public sector slightly increased from 529 in 2005 to
587 in 2011. Number of extracted permanent teeth decreased from the 412 extracted permanent teeth per dentist in 2005 to 364 in 2011. Small number of fi lled primary teeth comparing to large number of
extracted primary teeth showed negligence in their treatment.
Conclusion: Having in mind that improving oral health in developing countries is a very challenging objective we can conclude that dental health care system in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina need to be
reform in order to improve oral health in general, particularly in children population.