Decreases in dental caries do not mean that children no longer need dental services.
The continuing decline in dental caries in children could give one the impression that there is a decreasing need for the services of pediatric dentists. However, the conclusion drawn from reading the annual reports from the National Health Interview Survey is that despite such a decline, there is a significant on-going need for the services of pediatric dentists.
Waldman
H B
HB
Department of Dental Health, School of Dental Medicine, State University of New York, Stony Brook 11794-8715.
D000041:Absenteeism; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003752:Dental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology