Increasing population, limited dental insurance, but increasing use of services.

During the careers of many current and soon-to-be dental practitioners, one-in-five residents of the U.S. will be 65-plus years of age. Although the current population of seniors has limited dental insurance coverage, older Americans are increasing their use of services. Demographic variations are reviewed in terms of the need for services, dental visit patterns and expenditures for services. A challenge is presented to prepare practitioners for the care of this burgeoning population.