Objective: To assess the oral health status and to identify access to care problems of third grade students in New Mexico. Methods: Elementary schools were chosen to participate by a random sample. The sample size was based on 10% of the number of public school students statewide enrolled in 3rd grade for the SY 99-00. Data collected consisted of a Screening Exam and a Questionnaire. The response rate was 47% with about 9% of the target population screened (N=2136). The results showed that 35% of the children screened were caries free, 65% had caries experience, 37% had untreated decay, 37% needed dental care, 43% had at least one dental sealant. Access to care issues: 19% of the children had a toothache in the last six months, 65% had been to a dentist in the last year while 10% had never been to the dentist, 27% reported that during the last 12 months there was a time when access had been a problem, 65% had dental insurance. A significantly higher proportion of children from higher SES schools were caries free compared to mid and low SES schools. Reasons for difficulty in accessing care for American Indians were clinic related while the other groups were cost related. Conclusion: When stratified by Racial/Ethnic groups and SES, there were significantly higher and lower proportions between variables to demonstrate gaps in oral health status and access to care.
Learning Objectives: At the end of the presentation participants will be able to: Describe oral health indicators and their relationship to oral health status, Identify oral health disparities in the target population, Identify gaps and barriers in accessing oral health care, Determine if SES affects oral health status, Determine if Race/Ethnicity affects oral health status.
Keywords: , Access to Care
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.