Access and Barriers to CareUpdate on Disparities in Oral Health and Access to Dental Care for America's Children
Section snippets
Trends in Dental Caries among US Children
Dental caries experience in the primary teeth of children aged 2 to 5 years increased significantly and trended upward in children aged 6 to 11 years between the baseline period 1988 to 1994 that was reported in Oral Health in America and the period 1999 to 2004 (Table), whereas caries in permanent teeth of older children decreased.5 Overall, 42.2% of US children aged 2 to 11 years experienced tooth decay, and more than a quarter of 2- to 6-year-olds were affected. For purposes of anticipating
Trends in Dental Service Utilization among US Children
The most comprehensive and definitive national estimates of dental utilization by children are those derived from the federal Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, which tracks a panel of families over time to determine aspects of their health care utilization.9 Between 1996 and 2004, the percentage of children under 21 years with at least 1 dental visit increased from 42% to 45%, with highest utilization rates and greatest increases for 6- to 12-year-olds. Visits for children under age 6 increased
Parental Reports of Oral Health and Dental Care
Parental reports of both oral health and dental care reflect this range of documented disparities. Stepwise disparities in perceived oral health status by race and income parallel findings from the CDC National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) survey.12 Although 76% of white parents report that their children's “teeth are in excellent or very good condition,” only 61% of black parents and 47% of Hispanic parents report this positive health status. Similarly, only 49% of poor
References (12)
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Definition and epidemiology of early childhood caries