This secondary analysis describes determinants of dental access and utilization by children and adolescents in Ohio. The study used data from the Ohio Department of Health sponsored Ohio Family Health Survey. The Ohio Family Health Survey is a telephone interview survey of access and use of medical and dental services of 5,788 children and adolescents under the age of 18 across the State of Ohio. Demographic distribution of the sample was 51.5% males; 89.3% Whites, 6.5% African-Americans, 1.9% Asian, and 2.3% other; 32.2% metropolitan residence, 16.5% suburban, and 51.3% rural. More respondents reported a need for dental care than for any other unmet service need. Unmet dental needs were significantly greater for children under the age of 6 years. Results of bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that dental utilization defined as at least one dental visit in the past 12 months was substantially lower for children: below 6 years of age, living in rural counties, with no insurance during the past year, with unemployed parents, with a usual source of health care other than a physician’s office/clinic, and with a stated unmet dental need. Findings suggest that disparities exist in access and utilization of dental care in children and adolescents. Results suggest that in Ohio greater efforts are needed to educate parents of pre-school age children about the need for dental care, including preventive care. Efforts should also be made to increase access and utilization of dental care in rural counties and for those without insurance.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, the participant will be able to: 1. Identify factors related to dental utilization in children and adolescents. 2. Describe policy implications related to factors associated with low dental utilization in children and adolescents.
Keywords: Access, Oral Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.