The description of a functioning pediatric diabetes center continuously reaching an acceptable metabolic control for the average diabetic patient cannot be done on a substantial scientific basis. Such an approach obviously relies on empirical observations and personal opinion. In this article, it is first demonstrated that the outpatient clinic of the center for pediatric diabetology in Zurich can be compared with the general population of this region of Switzerland and, in addition, that the average HbAlc is not representing a selected cohort or a privileged population. In the following, the long-term strategy of our diabetes staff is described on the example of insulin-dependent diabetes during adolescence.