title: A comparison of compliance in Medicaid versus non-Medicaid patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Medicaid patients have been associated with lack of compliance during their orthodontic treatment in comparison with the non-Medicaid patients. In this study, Medicaid and non-Medicaid orthodontic patients' compliance from a state university and private practice orthodontic clinic within close location were analyzed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Charts of 30 Medicaid and 30 non-Medicaid orthodontic patients at each orthodontic clinic were reviewed. From each chart, mean percentage of failed and late appointments, number of broken appliances, number of comments on compliance with auxiliary wear and number of comments on oral hygiene maintenance were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistically significant differences between Medicaid and non-Medicaid orthodontic patients were not found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study indicated that in general there are no differences between Medicaid and non-Medicaid orthodontic patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results may alleviate the doubts of the dental practitioner in treating Medicaid patients.
authors: Orthodontist, Private Practice, Knoxville, TN.
authors: Mary Ellen
authors: ME
authors: Dobbs
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Manasse
authors: Budi
authors: B
authors: Kusnoto
authors: Maria Grace
authors: MG
authors: Costa Viana
authors: Ales
authors: A
authors: Obrez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007087:Illinois; D008297:Male; D008484:Medicaid; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances; D009970:Orthodontics; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011331:Private Practice; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014481:United States; D014495:Universities
keywords: Medicaid participation; Medicaid patients; compliance; dentistry; orthodontics