Predictors of the utilization of oral health services by children of low-income families in the United States: beliefs, cost, or provider?
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the predictive factors enabling access to children's oral health care at the level of financial barriers, beliefs, and the provider.


METHODS
In-depth interviews were conducted with 320 immigrant mothers of low-income families regarding their use of oral health services for children aged four to eight years old. Access to oral health care was measured with frequency of planned dental visits, continuity of care, and age at first visit to dentist.


RESULTS
The mother took her child to the dentist at a younger age if she received referrals to a dentist from pediatrician. Regular dental visits were significantly related to household income, provider availability on weekends, and insurance coverage. The extended clinic hours in the evenings, and the belief in the importance of the child's regular dentist visits increased the likelihood of continuing care. The mothers perceiving a cost burden for the child's dental care were also less likely to return to the dentist.


CONCLUSIONS
The available care delivery system, coordinated medical care, and health beliefs were among important predictors of the health service use. The study findings suggest need for culturally competent dental health interventions to enhance access to oral health care among particularly vulnerable populations such as low-income children in Korean communities.
Kim
Young Ok Rhee
YO
College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA. ykim2@uic.edu
Telleen
Sharon
S
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D002641:Chicago; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000592:standards; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D019140:Dental Care for Children / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000592:standards; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000193:education / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D008800:Mexico / Q000208:ethnology; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D011203:Poverty / Q000191:economics / Q000208:ethnology*; D011647:Puerto Rico / Q000208:ethnology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires