The impact of WIC dental screenings and referrals on utilization of dental services among low-income children.
OBJECTIVE
This cross-sectional study examined whether referrals from nondental health professionals impacted utilization of dental services by low-income populations.


METHODS
A sample of 309 mothers enrolled in the Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) clinic in Jackson County, Missouri, completed a self-administered, 32-item questionnaire to assess the mother and child's oral health behavior and past use of dental services. Dental utilization, the primary dependent variable, was defined as whether or not the child had ever been to a dentist.


RESULTS
Findings showed 27% of the children in the sample had been referred for dental care. Bivariate analysis indicated that a dental referral, age of the child, age of the mother, mother's perceived dental need for the child, household size, number of children in the household, and dental insurance for the child were associated with a child having a dental visit. Logistic regression, however, indicated that only age was significantly related to utilization.


CONCLUSIONS
The results showed a strong effect of increasing age being related to dental utilization, while additional research is needed to clarify the importance of WIC referrals.
McCunniff
M D
MD
Department of Dental Public Health, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry, USA.
Damiano
P C
PC
Kanellis
M J
MJ
Levy
S M
SM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019140:Dental Care for Children / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007347:Insurance, Dental; D016015:Logistic Models; D008403:Mass Screening; D008423:Maternal Age; D008430:Maternal-Child Health Centers; D008875:Middle Aged; D008923:Missouri; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009909:Oral Health; D010298:Parity; D011203:Poverty; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*