The paradox of dental need in a population-based study of dentate adults.
BACKGROUND
Studies typically find that predisposing and enabling factors strongly predict dental utilization, but that need factors do not. However, few longitudinal studies have been conducted, and few have comprehensively measured dental need.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the paradox of dental need, and to test three hypotheses regarding need and dental care use.


METHODS
An observational study that included 873 persons who participated for interview and clinical examination at baseline and 24 months, with 6-month telephone interviews in between.


RESULTS
Persons who entered the dental care system during follow-up were actually in better dental health than those who did not. The ability of need factors to predict dental care use, and in which direction, varied with how dental need and the dental care use outcome were measured (eg, care of any type, problem-related care, to receive a dental cleaning, to get a dental checkup).


CONCLUSIONS
A substantial number of dental problems remained or developed among the population that did not enter the dental care system. The paradox of dental need has three components: (1) need predicts dental care use but is dependent upon how need is measured; (2) however, persons with a higher probability of new dental problems are actually less likely to seek dental care; and (3) self-reported disease and oral pain are associated with a higher likelihood of seeking care, whereas clinically-determined need, such as chewing difficulty, lower self-rating, and satisfaction with oral health, are actually associated with a lower likelihood, the former direction being the predominant and expected direction.
Gilbert
Gregg H
GH
Department of Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama 35294-0007, USA. ghg@uab.edu
Shelton
Brent J
BJ
Chavers
L Scott
LS
Bradford
Edward H
EH
D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003752:Dental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003753:Dental Health Surveys; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009819:Office Visits; D009909:Oral Health; D011336:Probability; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000628:therapy