Recent trends in dental visits and private dental insurance, 1989 and 1999.
BACKGROUND
This article describes recent trends in dental visits and private dental insurance in the United States.


METHODS
This study is based on the analyses of data regarding dental visits and private dental insurance among the population 2 years of age or older from the 1989 and 1999 National Health Interview Surveys.


RESULTS
Overall, the percentage of the population with a dental visit rose from 57.2 percent in 1989 to 64.1 percent in 1999, while the percentage with private dental insurance fell from 40.5 percent to 35.2 percent.


CONCLUSIONS
Although a higher percentage of people with private dental insurance reported having a dental visit than did those without private dental insurance in both years, the increase from 1989 to 1999 in the percentage of those with a visit was larger among the uninsured.


CONCLUSIONS
If this trend persists, a smaller portion of practicing dentist's clientele will be insured. This may affect demand for services, as well as front office operations.
Wall
Thomas P
TP
Statistical Research, Health Policy Resources Center, American Dental Association, Chicago, Ill. 60611, USA. wallt@ada.org
Brown
L Jackson
LJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003729:Dental Care / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007347:Insurance, Dental / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011203:Poverty; D012737:Sex Factors; D014481:United States