Effects of WIC participation on children's use of oral health services.
OBJECTIVE
We estimated the effects of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) on dental services use by Medicaid children in North Carolina.


METHODS
We used linked Medicaid claims and enrollment files, WIC files, and the area resource file to compare dental services use for children enrolled in WIC with those not enrolled. We used multivariate models that controlled for child clustering and employed 2-step methodology to control for selection bias.


RESULTS
Children who participated in WIC had an increased probability of having a dental visit, were more likely to use preventive and restorative services, and were less likely to use emergency services.


CONCLUSIONS
Children's WIC participation improved access to dental care services that should lead to improved oral health.
Lee
Jessica Y
JY
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, CB 7450 Brauer Hall, Carolina Campus, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7450, USA. jessica_lee@dentistry.unc.edu
Rozier
R Gary
RG
Norton
Edward C
EC
Kotch
Jonathan B
JB
Vann
William F
WF
D000385:Aid to Families with Dependent Children; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019140:Dental Care for Children / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008484:Medicaid / Q000191:economics; D009657:North Carolina; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012044:Regression Analysis