STRATEGIES FOR PREDICTING DEMAND FOR DENTAL SERVICES: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Introduction: In Brazil, there are disparities in terms of supply and demand for dental services. Objective: The present study aimed to identify the strategies used to predict the demand for these services. Methodology: This was an integrative review conducted in accordance with the PRISMA method. The search expression (((forecast* OR “prediction” OR “prevision”) AND (“demand” OR trend*) AND (“dental services”))) was applied to fields determined for the Scopus Elsevier, Pubmed, VHL, and IEEE Xplore databases. Results: The strategies used were categorized according to temporality and the instrument used in the study. 31 documents were selected, whose results achieved were arranged according to patient’s collaboration dependence, the origin of self-assessments, targeting a specific group or demand and the relationship with public, private or both sectors. The strategies identified were transversal temporality studies in which the instrument was the application of a questionnaire or observation and longitudinal temporality where the instrument was the application of a questionnaire. Conclusions: From the exploration of the strategies identified in the literature, a knowledge gap was demonstrated at national level. The analysis of the articles included in this review presented desirable characteristics of the evaluations of demand for dental services.