title: Increasing use of dental services by children, but many are unable to secure needed care.
abstract: National studies indicate that an increasing proportion of children are receiving needed oral health care. However, this increase is not uniform throughout all populations of youngsters. Overall national study findings regarding the use of dental services mask the fact that, a significant subset of low-income, minority, medically and developmentally compromised and socially vulnerable children continue to lack access to care and suffer significant and consequential dental and oral disease. In addition, these same children will face continued difficulties in securing needed care as they reach their early adult years.
authors: Department of General Dentistry, Stony Brook University, NY.
authors: H B
authors: HB
authors: Waldman
authors: Boston Children's Hospital Developmental Biology, Harvard University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA.
authors: M B
authors: MB
authors: Ackerman
authors: Clinical Professor of Pediatric Dentistry, Boston University School of Dental Medicine, Boston MA.
authors: S P
authors: SP
authors: Perlman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001213:Asian / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019140:Dental Care for Children / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017742:Dental Care for Chronically Ill / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003730:Dental Care for Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017057:Medically Uninsured / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011203:Poverty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D060305:Transition to Adult Care; D014481:United States; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: dental visits; disability; insurance; poverty; unmet needs