Pediatric dentistry is an important part of overall well-being and can prevent lifelong problems. It involves the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of conditions and diseases of the teeth, gums, and mouth. A recent study evaluated the relationship between the density of pediatric dentists at the county level and the use of preventive dental care by children enrolled in Medicaid in Washington State. The study used a multi-variable linear regression to assess the association between the density of pediatric dentists and the use of preventive dental care by children enrolled in Medicaid in a county, after adjusting for confounding factors (regionality and age of the ABCD program).
The results showed that as the proportion of pediatric dentists per 10,000 children in a county increased by one, on average, the proportion of children enrolled in Medicaid who used preventive dental care increased by 1.67 percent (P%3D0.04). The study also revealed that increasing the number of pediatric dentists in areas with a high population of children with Medicaid could improve access to dental care services. This is because families may be able to more easily find dentists who accept Medicaid due to rural dentists having a more visible role in the community. It is important to note that this study serves as a model for similar analyses that could be performed in other states to determine the effects of the density of pediatric dentists on the use of dental care by children on Medicaid.
This could help policy makers improve programs aimed at reducing disparities in the use of dental care for children enrolled in Medicaid. If you are looking for a pediatric dentist for your child, it is important to do your research and find one who is qualified and experienced. Call our office to learn more about pediatric dentistry and to schedule an appointment.
