The impact of dentists' availability in delivering dental care in Florida Elementary Schools.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

This study evaluates the dentists' availability to deliver preventive dental care to children in schools and the impact of school-based programs on access.

Methods

The study population included Florida elementary-school children, differentiated by dental insurance (Medicaid, CHIP, private, or none). We considered the implementation of school-based programs using optimization modeling to (re)allocate the dentists' caseload to schools to meet demand for preventive care under resource constraints. We considered multiple settings for school-based program implementation: (i) school prioritization; and (ii) dentists' participation in public insurance. Statistical inference was used to identify communities to improve access and reduce disparities.

Results

School-ba

SUBMITTER: Ma S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10006351 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature