An analysis of dental visits in U.S. children, by category of service and sociodemographic factors, 1996

Purpose: Data from the 1996 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey were analyzed to determine the distribution of diagnostic and preventive, surgical, and other dental visit types received by U.S. children, aged 0-18years. Methods: Weighted point estimates and standard errors were generated using SUDAAN ⁸ and stratified by age, sex, race/ethnicity, and poverty status. Results: Overall, 39.3% of children had a diagnostic or preventive visit, 4.1% had a surgical visit, and 16.2% had a visit for a restorative/other service. Diagnostic and preventive services were most common, across age categories. For all types of service, utilization was higher among white and non-poor children, but there were no differences by gender. Age-specific associations were mixed, with diagnostic and preventive service and surgical service utilization having a different distribution than other service type. Poverty status was generally not associated with service-specific utilization among African-American children. Conclusions: There are profound disparities in the level of dental services obtained by children, especially among minority and poor youth. Findings suggest that Medicaid fails to assure comprehensive dental services for eligible children. Improvements in oral health care for minority and poor children are necessary if national health objectives for 2010 are to be met successfully.