Excerpts from presentation on epidemiologic data and changing demographics.

Dental surveys provide epidemiologic and sociodemographic data useful for program planning, implementation, and evaluation. Dental public health decisions in North Carolina have been based on statewide oral health surveys. Results from the 1986-87 North Carolina School Oral Health Survey and a comparison of these data to previous survey results and to recent national estimates of oral disease provide a basis for the discussions and deliberations during the symposium.