The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #57356

Elizabeth Mertz, MPA¹, Julia Wacloff, RDH, MS², Judy A. White, RDH, MPH², Kevin Grumbach, MD¹, and Kneka Pelletier Smith, RDH, BS². (1) Center for California Health Workforce Studies, University of California, San Francisco, 3333 California Street, Suite 410, San Francisco, CA 94118, (415)502-7934, bethm@itsa.ucsf.edu, (2) Office of Oral Health, Arizona Department of Health Services, 1740 W. Adams, Room #010, Phoenix, AZ 85007-2670

Research Objective: To determine trends in participation and characteristics associated with dentist involvement in the Arizona Medicaid waiver program (Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System--AHCCCS). Methods: The Arizona Department of Health Services, Office of Oral Health, surveyed all Arizona licensed dentists in 1997 and 2000. Using GIS techniques, the Center for California Health Workforce Studies analyzed characteristics of dentists providing services to AHCCCS enrollees. Principal Findings: The percent of the Arizona population enrolled AHCCCS has increased from 9% in 1997 and 2000 to 17% in January 2003. Growth in self-reported provider participation in AHCCCS increased from 17% to 19% between 1997 and 2000. Of participating dentists, AHCCCS enrollees average 32% of their patient population, with 20% of participating dentists having 80-100% of their patients enrolled in AHCCCS. Rural dentists are more likely to accept AHCCCS patients. In 2000, dentists participating in AHCCCS were more likely to be general or pediatric dentists, female, younger, and work longer hours. Conclusions: Concurrent with findings in other states, dental providers tend to focus on either the private or public market. In Arizona, providers overwhelmingly choose to focus on the private market, while those that provide AHCCCS services do so at a high rate. A better understanding of the distribution and characteristics of these dental services can inform public health programs and policy makers in the development of a safety net for AHCCCS enrollees.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of this session the participants will be able to:
• ·Identify factors associated with Dentist participation in Medicaid
• ·Develop methodology for studying the supply of dental health services in their community
• ·Describe state and national patterns and trends of dentists’ participation in Medicaid

Keywords: Access to Care, Medicaid

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Arizona Department of Health Services, Office of Oral Health, Dental Provider Survey
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.