Using data from the 1997 National Survey of America's Families, the researchers find that almost 10 percent of low-income children had an unmet need for dental care - twice the level experienced by higher-income children. Nationally, 30 percent of low-income children received no dental care in the previous year and at least 60 percent failed to receive recommended levels of care. Among low-income children, deficits in the use of dental services appear greatest among those who lack health insurance, those in poor health, and those with less educated primary caregivers. Substantial variation in the receipt of dental care exists across the 13 states studied