Relationship between children's dental needs and dental care utilization: United States, 1988-1994.
OBJECTIVE
This study describes the relationship between dental needs and dental care utilization among children.


METHODS
Data from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1994) were used to analyze dental care needs and dental care utilization.


RESULTS
Younger children with perceived needs (needs perceived by the child or responsible adult) were more likely to be episodic users of dental care than children without perceived needs. Younger children with normative needs (defined by the presence of untreated caries diagnosed by a dentist) were less likely to be regular users. Older children with perceived or normative needs were more likely to be episodic users and less likely to have had a previous-year visit than children with no needs.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite their presence, dental needs do not drive dental care use among children, and children's dental care utilization is inadequate.
Vargas
Clemencia M
CM
University of Maryland Dental School, Baltimore 21201, USA. cmv001@dental.umaryland.edu
Ronzio
Cynthia R
CR
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019140:Dental Care for Children / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D018450:Disease Progression; D017050:Episode of Care; D005260:Female; D006300:Health Services Misuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D040361:Healthy People Programs; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009819:Office Visits / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology