The need for operative dentistry services: projecting the effects of changing disease patterns.

The declining incidence of caries in children and adolescents has caused speculation that there will soon be a great reduction in need for restorative services among adults. This study used recent dental epidemiological data, population estimates, and numerous alternative assumptions to calculate the hours of adult operative dentistry treatment need in the US in 1972, 1990, and 2030. According to those calculations, the total hours of need were about 125 million in 1972. In 1990 and 2030, the projected hours of need were determined to be about 150 million and 192 million, respectively.