title: Patients' expectations for oral health care in the 21st century.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This article examines trends in patient demographics and dental disease patterns. Data suggest the patient expectations about oral health are increasing, as is their knowledge of oral health services.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Changing patient demographics and technological advances will lead to higher patient expectations and greater demands for oral health care in the 21st century than they had been during most of the 20th century.
authors.affiliation: Harvard School of Dental Medicine and School of Dental Health, Harvard University, Boston, Mass. 02115, USA.
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Douglass
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Sheets
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004245:DMF Index; D003729:Dental Care / Q000639:trends*; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D005544:Forecasting; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D016365:Liability, Legal; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000639:trends; D013039:Specialties, Dental / Q000639:trends