TABLE 2—

Perception of Tooth Pain and Need to Seek Dental Care Among Persons Receiving Public Assistance

	No Symptom	Bearable Pain	Unbearable Pain
Interpretation	Absence of illness	Illness	Illness
Perceived need for treatment	No need for treatment (possible need for professional cleaning)	Need for professional treatment	Need for professional treatment
Decision to seekdental care	No decision to seek care (except for dental cleaning)	No decision to seek care (adaptation to pain)	Decision to seek care (adaptation to pain failed)