How a North Carolina program boosted preventive oral health services for low-income children

Abstract

Dental caries (tooth decay), the most common chronic disease affecting young children, is exacerbated by limited access to preventive dental services for low-income children. To address this problem, North Carolina implemented a program to reimburse physicians for up to six preventive oral health visits for Medicaid-enrolled children younger than age three. Analysis of physician and dentist Medicaid claims from the period 2000-2006 shows that the program greatly increased preventive oral health services. By 2006 approximately 30 percent of well-child visits for children ages six months up to three years included these services. However, additional strategies are needed to ensure preventive oral health care for more low-income children.

Exhibit 1

Number of Well Child Visits and Oral Health Medical Visits per 100 Medicaid Enrolled Children, 2000-2006, by Age Group

Exhibit 2

Number of Oral Health Medical Visits and Dentist Visits Per 100 Medicaid Enrolled Children 6-35 Months of Age, 2000-2006

Exhibit 3

Descriptive Statistics and Models of the Likelihood of Oral Health Visits and Dentist Visits

Exhibit 4

Effects of County-Level Oral Health Medical Visits on Dentist Visits per Month