To find out how different social classes benefit from subsidized orthodontic services, a survey of 1900 Norwegian children was undertaken. In district A, 90% of the orthodontists fee was subsidized, while in district B the public subsidies were less than 50%. There was a lower orthodontist to population ratio in district A than in district B. The actual need for orthodontic treatment was found to be 40% in district A and 42% in district B and the greatest need was found in the highest social groups in both districts. A separate assessment was made of single parent families. The actual demand for orthodontic treatment was 27% for district A and 26% for district B. The two highest social groups in district A and the three highest social groups in district B had the highest treatment frequency and the lowest treatment frequency for children of single parent families. The reasons why orthodontic treatment was not carried out were recorded and related to social status. It was concluded that the two lowest social groups represent a considerable latent treatment potential for orthodontic services.
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R Sivertsen (1981) studied this question.