Preliminary investigation of the relationship between population DMFT scores and mix of restorative and exodontic needs

The relationships between mean DMFT and the mean probability of a decayed tooth requiring restorative or exodontic treatment items among Australian adolescents were studied. Significant relationships were found between mean DMFT and the probability of requiring a one‐surface, two‐surface, or a three‐surface restoration. Relationships between mean DMFT and the probability of requiring a four or more surface restoration or extractions were not significant. The relationships studied may be used to predict the mix of restorative and exodontic items of care needed from data on mean decayed teeth and mean DMFT.