Changes in state policies related to oral health in the United States, 2002-2009.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Examining state policies in oral health, including changes over time, helps inform the degree to which states fulfill public health dentistry functions and deliver essential services. This study examines changes in state policies affecting oral health in the United States between 2002 and 2009.

Methods

We reviewed 43 oral health policies in three domains (public dental insurance; workforce capacity; and infrastructure, programs, and surveillance). Data sources included federal, state, and private foundation reports and databases. Fifteen of 43 policies had data available for both time points and were analyzed. We examined national and regional changes over time using McNemar's test and Wilcoxon matched pairs signed ranks test.

Results

Between 2002 and 2009,

SUBMITTER: Mandal M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4842411 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature