Geographic variation of dental utilization among low income children

Health Place. 2015 Jul:34:150-6. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2015.05.002. Epub 2015 May 28.

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.

Keywords: Dental health services; Geographic Information Systems (GIS); Health service areas; Medicaid; Preventive dental care.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Dental Care for Children / statistics & numerical data*
  • Dentists / statistics & numerical data
  • Dentists / supply & distribution
  • Female
  • Geographic Information Systems
  • Geography, Medical
  • Health Services Accessibility / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Medicaid
  • Poverty
  • United States