The rate of dental spending growth will be approximately double that of projected economic growth during the same period.
Over 100 million Americans have dental insurance, which in 1996 covered approximately 49% of all dental care costs. 16 Dental insurance grew steadily from 1975 to 1990, then leveled off. However, because of it, dental care has become less expensive for the typical consumer of dental services.
Total real dental expenditures increased from $25.8 billion in 1970 to $47.6 billion in 1996 .3 In the early 1970s, dental spending grew at about the same rate as other personal health care spending and faster than the overall economy. In 1978, the growth rate in the dental sector flattened, and since then dental spending has increased more slowly than either personal health spending or the overall economy.
In considering the future demand for operative dentistry, an assessment of the current and projected status of caries, missing teeth, and periodontal health is briefly presented here, followed by a projection of the increased numbers of teeth that will be at risk to dental disease in the future.
Caries. The incidence of caries has decreased. This reduction in caries is a result of increased usage of sealants and improved homecare efforts, but primarily it is a result of increased exposure to fluoride.
Fluoridation of community water systems began in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1945. However, only 62% of the U.S. population on public water supplies currently receives fluoridated water;” this represents approximately 145 million people. Fluoridation also protects 360 million people in approximately 60 countries worldwide.”
The expanded use of dietary fluoride supplements, school-based fluoride mouth-rinse programs, professional topical fluoride applications, and fluoride toothpastes also has contributed to this reduction.’ For example, over one fourth of the school districts in the United States offer schoolchildren the opportunity to participate in a fluoride mouth-rinse program.