title: Disparities in regular source of dental care among mothers of medicaid-enrolled preschool children.
abstract: For mothers of Medicaid children aged 3 to 6 years, we examined whether mothers' characteristics and local supply of dentists and public dental clinics are associated with having a regular source of dental care. Disproportionate stratified sampling by racial/ethnic group selected 11,305 children aged 3 to 6 in Medicaid in Washington State. Mothers (n=4,373) completed a mixed-mode survey that was combined with dental supply measures. Results reveal 38% of mothers had a regular dental place and 27% had a regular dentist. Dental insurance, greater education, income, length of residence, and better mental health were associated with having a regular place or dentist for Black, Hispanic, and White mothers, along with increased supply of private dentists and safety net clinics for White and Hispanic mothers. Mothers lacking a regular source of dental care may increase oral health disparities disfavoring their children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Public Health Sciences, University of Washington (UW), WA, USA. grem@u.washington.edu
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Grembowski
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Spiekerman
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Milgrom
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D019140:Dental Care for Children / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003753:Dental Health Surveys; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D007347:Insurance, Dental; D008484:Medicaid / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009909:Oral Health; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology*; D011203:Poverty / Q000208:ethnology; D014481:United States; D014861:Washington