Future needs for fixed and removable partial dentures in the United States☆,☆☆,★
Section snippets
Material and methods
Unmet need is defined here as the quantity of treatment required by a population beyond that provided by the dental profession. Because of economic constraints, the need for dental care exceeds the demand for dental care. However, socioeconomic differences were at least partially controlled in this analysis because the epidemiologic data included estimates from all socioeconomic levels.
The need for prosthodontic dental services usually is determined by a dental professional during an oral
Results
Table IV summarizes the total hours per year available for the provision of prosthetic services. . Supply of prosthodontic services: estimated provider time (in hours/week) of U.S. active general dentists* and prosthodontists available to render prosthetic services in the United StatesYear Number of dentists Chairside h/wk wk/y Total provider time (h/y) 2005 3,189 Prosthodontists 33.30 47.8 5,076,058 129,710 General practitioners 6.72 47.8 41,664,927 Total annual supply = 46,740,985 2010 3,263 Prosthodontists 33.30
Discussion
The results of this analysis show a large and increasing amount of unmet prosthodontic need in the future. This projection is probably an underestimate for several reasons. First, the chairside time estimated for the provision of FPDs was based on a 3-unit prosthesis. Many patients need prostheses with 4 or more units; hence, the overall required chairside time is probably greater than estimated. Second, a range of prosthodontic services—including complete dentures, overdentures, posts and
Conclusions
The results of this analysis show a large and growing need for prosthodontic treatment that will exceed the supply available in the years 2005, 2010, and 2020. Contrary to the research hypothesis and the well-documented decline in tooth loss and edentulism in the United States, the need for fixed and removable partial dentures will actually increase. At least 2 factors may account for these circumstances: the substantial growth in the U.S. population and the extended life expectancy of the
Supplementary Files
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Cited by (0)
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aProfessor and Chair, Department of Oral Health Policy and Epidemiology.
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bStudent Research Assistant, Department of Oral Health Policy and Epidemiology.
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Reprint requests to: Dr Chester W. Douglass, Department of Oral Health Policy and Epidemiology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, 188 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115, Fax: (617)432-0047, E-mail: [email protected]