Background. Studies typically find that predisposing and enabling factors strongly predict
dental utilization, but that need factors do not. However, few longitudinal studies have been
conducted, and few have comprehensively measured dental need. Objectives. To describe
the paradox of dental need, and to test three hypotheses regarding need and dental care
use. Materials and methods. An observational study that included 873 persons who
participated for interview and clinical examination at baseline and 24 months, with 6-month …