TY - JOUR
T1 - Receipt of preventive dental care among special-needs children enrolled in medicaid
T2 - A crisis in need of attention
AU - Mitchell, Jean M.
AU - Gaskin, Darrell J.
PY - 2008/10
Y1 - 2008/10
N2 - Although not widely recognized, tooth decay is the most common childhood chronic disease among children ages five to seventeen. Despite higher rates of dental caries and greater needs, low-income minority children enrolled in Medicaid are more likely to go untreated relative to their higher income counterparts. No research has examined this issue for children with special needs. We analyzed Medicaid enrollment and claims data for special-needs children enrolled in the District of Columbia Medicaid program to evaluate receipt of recommended preventive dental care. Use of preventive dental care is abysmally low and has declined over time. Enrollment in managed care rather than fee for service improves the likelihood that special-needs children receive recommended preventive dental services, whereas residing farther from the Metro is an impediment to receipt of dental care.
AB - Although not widely recognized, tooth decay is the most common childhood chronic disease among children ages five to seventeen. Despite higher rates of dental caries and greater needs, low-income minority children enrolled in Medicaid are more likely to go untreated relative to their higher income counterparts. No research has examined this issue for children with special needs. We analyzed Medicaid enrollment and claims data for special-needs children enrolled in the District of Columbia Medicaid program to evaluate receipt of recommended preventive dental care. Use of preventive dental care is abysmally low and has declined over time. Enrollment in managed care rather than fee for service improves the likelihood that special-needs children receive recommended preventive dental services, whereas residing farther from the Metro is an impediment to receipt of dental care.
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U2 - 10.1215/03616878-2008-023
DO - 10.1215/03616878-2008-023
M3 - Article
C2 - 18818426
AN - SCOPUS:54749110723
SN - 0361-6878
VL - 33
SP - 883
EP - 905
JO - Journal of health politics, policy and law
JF - Journal of health politics, policy and law
IS - 5
ER -