title: Geographic variation of dental utilization among low income children.
abstract: Spatial accessibility of dental care is mediated by dentist workforce availability and travel costs. In this study, we generated dental service areas through small area analysis of Medicaid administrative data and claims. Service areas were then used to assess dimensions of spatial accessibility, including dentist-to-population ratios, and examine relationships in geographic variation of routine dental care among Medicaid-enrolled children. Our findings indicate significant geographic differences in accessibility for Hispanic children compared to other children, even after controlling for individual and service area characteristics.
authors.affiliation: University of Iowa Public Policy Center, Iowa City, IA, USA; University of Iowa College of Dentistry, Iowa City, IA, USA. Electronic address: susan-mckernan@uiowa.edu.
authors.forename: Susan C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: McKernan
authors.affiliation: University of Iowa Public Policy Center, Iowa City, IA, USA; University of Iowa College of Dentistry, Iowa City, IA, USA.
authors.forename: Raymond A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Kuthy
authors.affiliation: University of Iowa Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Iowa City, IA, USA.
authors.forename: Paul F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Hanley
authors.affiliation: University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, IA, USA.
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: University of Iowa Public Policy Center, Iowa City, IA, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Momany
authors.affiliation: University of Iowa College of Dentistry, Iowa City, IA, USA.
authors.forename: Michelle R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: McQuistan
authors.affiliation: University of Iowa Public Policy Center, Iowa City, IA, USA; University of Iowa College of Dentistry, Iowa City, IA, USA.
authors.forename: Peter C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Damiano
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019140:Dental Care for Children / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003815:Dentists / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000600:supply & distribution; D005260:Female; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D062306:Geography, Medical; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008484:Medicaid; D011203:Poverty; D014481:United States
keywords: Dental health services; Geographic Information Systems (GIS); Health service areas; Medicaid; Preventive dental care