Patient characteristics associated with receipt of dental radiographic procedures during a 48-month population-based study of dentate adults.
OBJECTIVE
The objective was to test hypotheses that patient characteristics are associated with receipt of specific types of radiographic procedures.


METHODS
The Florida Dental Care Study was a prospective cohort study of dentate adults.


RESULTS
From 19% to 59% of participants received a full-mouth series, panoramic, bitewing, or periapical radiograph(s), depending on procedure type. Receipt varied with reason(s) for dental visit(s), baseline clinical condition, race, approach to care (problem-oriented or regular dental attender), and socioeconomic status.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings underscore the distinction between what dentists hypothetically would prescribe, compared to what is actually received, receipt that results from the interaction between dentist recommendations and what patients will accept and pay for. Blacks and lower-income persons received dental radiograph types that were consistent with less comprehensive dental treatment, even with entry into the dental care system, reason(s) for incident dental visit(s), baseline clinical status, and regular versus problem-oriented attendance taken into account.
Gilbert
Gregg H
GH
Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 35294-0007, USA. ghg@uab.edu
Coke
John M
JM
Weems
Richard A
RA
Shelton
Brent J
BJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D044383:Black People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010361:Patients / Q000145:classification* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010486:Periapical Tissue / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011203:Poverty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016300:Radiography, Bitewing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011861:Radiography, Dental / Q000145:classification* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012923:Social Class; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001741:Black or African American