An increasing number of your pediatric patients may have asthma: the demographics of asthma.

In light of the growing prevalence of children with asthma, dental practitioners should increase their awareness of the demographic characteristics of the disease and the associated use of health services. A review is provided of 1) the distribution of the disease in the pediatric and general populations, 2) the number of physician visits, 3) emergency room and hospital usage, and 4) mortality patterns.