title: Pediatric Dentist Density and Preventive Care Utilization for Medicaid Children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate county-level pediatric dentist density and dental care utilization for Medicaid-enrolled children.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional analysis of 604,885 zero- to 17-year-olds enrolled in the Washington State Medicaid Program for 11-12 months in 2012. The relationship between county-level pediatric dentist density, defined as the number of pediatric dentists per 10,000 Medicaid-enrolled children, and preventive dental care utilization was evaluated using linear regression models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 2012, 179 pediatric dentists practiced in 16 of the 39 counties in Washington. County-level pediatric dentist density varied from zero to 5.98 pediatric dentists per 10,000 Medicaid-enrolled children. County-level preventive dental care utilization ranged from 32 percent to 81 percent, with 62 percent of Medicaid-enrolled children utilizing preventive dental services. County-level density was significantly associated with county-level dental care utilization (Slope equals 1.67, 95 percent confidence interval equals 0.02, 3.32, P<.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a significant relationship between pediatric dentist density and the proportion of Medicaid-enrolled children who utilize preventive dental care services. Policies aimed at improving pediatric oral health disparities should include strategies to increase the number of oral health care providers, including pediatric dentists, in geographic areas with large proportions of Medicaid-enrolled children.
authors: Private practice, Phoenix, Ariz., USA. jfheiden@uw.edu.
authors: James F
authors: JF
authors: Heidenreich
authors: Center for Pediatric Dentistry, at the University of Washington, Seattle, Wash., USA.
authors: Amy S
authors: AS
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, at the University of Washington, Seattle, Wash., USA.
authors: JoAnna M
authors: JM
authors: Scott
authors: Department of Oral Health Sciences, at the University of Washington, Seattle, Wash., USA.
authors: Donald L
authors: DL
authors: Chi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003190:Comprehensive Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019140:Dental Care for Children / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003815:Dentists / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D005460:Fluorides, Topical / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008484:Medicaid; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D010377:Pediatric Dentistry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011313:Preventive Dentistry; D014481:United States; D014861:Washington; D000078329:Workforce
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D005460:Fluorides, Topical; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants