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Disparities in dental insurance coverage among hospitalised Western Australian children
Alla Talal Alsharif1, Estie Kruger, Marc Tennant
1International Research Collaborative - Oral Health and Equity, Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia.
Insights
Many Australian children lack dental insurance, with Indigenous and rural children facing greater disparities. Addressing these inequities is crucial for improving children's oral health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Dental insurance coverage is essential for accessing timely oral healthcare.
- Disparities in healthcare access disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate disparities in dental insurance coverage among hospitalized children in Western Australia.
- To identify factors associated with these coverage disparities.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 43,937 children under 15 hospitalized for oral-health conditions.
- Inclusion of variables: residency, age, gender, Indigenous status, and socioeconomic status.
Main Results:
- 47.3% of children lacked dental insurance.
- Indigenous and rural children experienced greater uninsured rates and reduced hospitalizations for dental treatment.
- Socioeconomic status and remote residency were significant factors associated with lack of coverage.
Conclusions:
- Significant disparities in dental insurance coverage exist among Western Australian children.
- Targeted interventions are needed to address socioeconomic and geographic inequities in oral health access.
- Improving insurance coverage is critical for enhancing children's oral health in Australia.
Objectives:
We sought to understand disparities in dental insurance coverage among hospitalised Western Australian children and associated factors.
Methods:
This study analysed the data obtained for 43,937 child patients under the age of 15 years hospitalised for an oral-health related condition, as determined by principal diagnosis (ICD-10AM). Primary place of residency, age, gender, Indigenous status and socioeconomic status were also analysed.
Results:
Of our sample, 47.3% reported lack of dental insurance coverage. Non-Indigenous children were more likely to have dental insurance than Indigenous children. When insurance status was considered, Indigenous children were less likely to be hospitalised for dental treatment. Rural children were more likely to be uninsured than urban children. Lack of health insurance coverage was strongly associated with children living in very remote areas. These disparities were exacerbated among rural indigenous children. Disparities in dental insurance coverage and dental care are also evident by socioeconomic status.
Conclusions:
Better understanding of disparities in access to care among children, socioeconomic divide in oral health insurance coverage and subsequent development of intervention programmes, will be critical to improving Australian children's oral health.
