Cost as a barrier to dental care among people with disabilities: a report from the Florida behavioral risk factor surveillance system.
Many individuals who have disabilities or complex health conditions do not have adequate access to comprehensive oral health care. An examination of the literature indicates a variety of contributing factors. This study reports on cost of care as a barrier to oral health care. Data from the 2007 Florida Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) were used (n = 33,777). Respondents who reported activity limitation or the use of special equipment were considered to have a disability. Lack of access to dental care due to cost during the past year was assessed. More individuals with a disability reported not seeing a dentist due to cost versus people without disabilities (30% vs. 16%). After adjusting for confounding variables, Floridians with disabilities were 60% more likely to report cost as a barrier to dental care (OR = 1.60, 95% CI 1.32-1.94). Cost of dental care is an access to oral health barrier for Floridians with disabilities. Improving access to dental care for this population will require consideration of financial issues.
Rapalo
Deborah M
DM
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Florida, USA.
Davis
Jenna L
JL
Burtner
Paul
P
Bouldin
Erin DeFries
ED
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D040343:Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; D003190:Comprehensive Dental Care / Q000191:economics; D003730:Dental Care for Persons with Disabilities / Q000191:economics*; D004522:Educational Status; D004651:Employment; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D007348:Insurance, Health; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult