title: Cost as a barrier to dental care among people with disabilities: a report from the Florida behavioral risk factor surveillance system.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Florida, USA.
authors.forename: Deborah M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Rapalo
authors.forename: Jenna L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Burtner
authors.forename: Erin DeFries
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Bouldin
mesh_terms: 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