Dental care access for children in the United States.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To evaluate access to dental care for children in the United States.

Methods

The study population included children in 48 states and the District of Columbia. Using multiple data sources, dental care access was estimated at the community level by matching dental care supply and demand using mathematical modeling accounting for access constraints. Outcome measures included percent-met demand, travel distance, and percentage of underserved and unserved communities. Multiple scenarios to improve Medicaid/CHIP participation of dentists were evaluated.

Results

Medicaid-insured and CHIP-insured children exhibited lower access compared to those privately insured. The percent-met demand was lower than 50% for Medicaid-insured children and CHIP-insured children for

SUBMITTER: Serban N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11619532 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature