An analysis of dental visits in U.S. children, by category of service and sociodemographic factors, 1996.
OBJECTIVE
Data from the 1996 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey were analyzed to determine the distribution of diagnostic and preventive, surgical, and other dental visit types received by U.S. children, aged 0-18 years.


METHODS
Weighted point estimates and standard errors were generated using SUDAAN and stratified by age, sex, race/ethnicity, and poverty status.


RESULTS
Overall, 39.3% of children had a diagnostic or preventive visit, 4.1% had a surgical visit, and 16.2% had a visit for a restorative/other service. Diagnostic and preventive services were most common, across age categories. For all types of service, utilization was higher among white and non-poor children, but there were no differences by gender. Age-specific associations were mixed, with diagnostic and preventive service and surgical service utilization having a different distribution than other service type. Poverty status was generally not associated with service-specific utilization among African-American children.


CONCLUSIONS
There are profound disparities in the level of dental services obtained by children, especially among minority and poor youth. Findings suggest that Medicaid fails to assure comprehensive dental services for eligible children. Improvements in oral health care for minority and poor children are necessary if national health objectives for 2010 are to be met successfully.
Macek
M D
MD
Department of Oral Health Care Delivery, Baltimore College of Dental Surgery Dental School, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA. mdm002@dental.umaryland.edu
Edelstein
B L
BL
Manski
R J
RJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019140:Dental Care for Children / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003752:Dental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003945:Diagnosis, Oral / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011203:Poverty; D011313:Preventive Dentistry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D013515:Surgery, Oral / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States