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Early preventive dental visits: effects on subsequent utilization and costs
Matthew F Savage1, Jessica Y Lee, Jonathan B Kotch
1Department of Pediatric Dentistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA.
Pediatrics
|October 7, 2004
Summary
Early preventive dental visits for preschool children enrolled in Medicaid are associated with increased use of subsequent dental services and lower overall costs. This highlights the importance of timely dental care for long-term oral health and cost savings.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Preventive dental care is crucial for preschool-aged children.
- Understanding the long-term impact of early dental visits on service utilization and costs is essential for healthcare policy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the timing of initial preventive dental visits and subsequent dental service use and costs in preschool children covered by Medicaid.
- To identify factors influencing access to dental care among this population.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal cohort study design was employed, analyzing administrative data from North Carolina Medicaid-enrolled children from birth to age 5.
- Data sources included birth records, Medicaid enrollment and claims files, and the Area Resource File.
- Outcome measures focused on the type of dental service utilization and associated costs.
Main Results:
- Children receiving their first preventive dental visit at age 2 or 3 were more likely to have subsequent preventive, restorative, and emergency visits.
- Earlier preventive care was linked to significantly lower average dentally related costs per child.
- Average costs ranged from $262 for visits before age 1 to $546 for visits between ages 4 and 5.
Conclusions:
- Early preventive dental visits in preschool-aged, Medicaid-enrolled children are associated with higher utilization of subsequent dental services and reduced healthcare expenditures.
- Racial minority children and those in areas with fewer dentists faced greater challenges accessing dental care.
- Findings suggest that timely preventive dental care can improve oral health outcomes and reduce costs, but disparities in access persist.