title: Past, present, and future trends in dental health and the dental system in New Zealand.
abstract: The past dental health of the New Zealand population has been characterised by a very high level of tooth decay; this was initially managed by the extraction of a seemingly hopeless dentition, and the placement of dentures as the socially accepted norm. This period was followed by an intensive period of curative treatment that involved the large-scale treatment of caries and the restoration of teeth. The substantial decrease in decayed, missing and filled teeth since the 1960s is most probably associated with the widespread use of fluoride in water and toothpaste. The majority of children, adolescents, and young adults now have low caries experience; the benefits will be lifelong. The projected profile of the New Zealand population is an improvement in oral health as successive generations with low caries experience move into mature and older adulthood. They will require much less dental care, and their expectations are to retain most of their natural teeth for life. There will be a decreased demand for traditional forms of dental treatment. While the variety of dental needs will be maintained, even increased, the volume of need will inevitably decline, which will influence the dental provider workforce.
authors.affiliation: Dental Research Unit, Health Research Council, Wellington.
authors.forename: T W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Cutress
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Hunter
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003752:Dental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D005544:Forecasting; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*