Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 16, 2026
Measuring Biophysical and Psychological Stress Levels Following Visitation to Three Locations with Differing Levels of Nature
Published on: June 19, 2019
The Effects of Medical Well Baby Visits in Promoting Earlier First Dental Visits for Children
S Park1, E T Momany2, M P Jones2
1University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
Insights
Medical well-baby visits can influence early dental care. More visits before 11 months delayed dental visits, while later visits promoted them, improving rates for Medicaid children.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Early dental visits are crucial for preventive oral health in children.
- Understanding factors influencing timely dental care access for Medicaid-enrolled children is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of medical well-baby visits on the timing of first dental visits among children enrolled in Medicaid.
- To identify specific visit windows where medical well-baby visits influence dental visit initiation.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of Iowa Medicaid claims data from 2000-2013 for 38,211 children across four birth cohorts.
- Survival analysis was employed to estimate first dental visit rates based on medical well-baby visit frequency.
- Independent variables included cohort year and frequency of medical visits at different child age intervals.
Main Results:
- First dental visit rates significantly improved from 2000 to 2013, with earlier visits in later cohorts.
- Increased medical well-baby visits before 11 months were associated with delayed first dental visits.
- Conversely, more medical well-baby visits between 11-19 months and 20-36 months were linked to earlier first dental visits.
Conclusions:
- While first dental visit rates have improved for Medicaid children, further interventions are needed.
- The timing of medical well-baby visits significantly impacts the initiation of dental care.
- Policy makers can leverage these findings to enhance dental care access and outcomes for young, publicly insured children.
Abstract:
The objective of the study was to assess the effects of medical well baby visits in promoting earlier first dental visits. We analyzed Iowa Medicaid claims data (2000-2013). The sample included 4 cohorts of children born in 2000, 2003, 2007, or 2010 and enrolled in Medicaid from birth (N = 38,211). Children were followed for 3 y. The independent variables were cohort year and medical well baby visit frequency during 3 time periods (birth to age 10 mo, ages 11-19 mo, ages 20-36 mo). We used survival analyses to estimate first dental visit rates. First dental visit rates improved significantly from 2000 to 2013, with children in latter cohorts having significantly earlier first dental visits. Children with more medical well baby visits before age 11 mo had significantly delayed first dental visit rates than children with fewer medical well baby visits. The opposite was observed for children with more medical well baby visits between ages 11 to 19 mo and ages 20 to 36 mo. First dental visit rates for Medicaid-enrolled children have improved, but there continues to be a need for early interventions to improve age 1 dental visits and other preventive oral health behaviors. Knowledge Transfer Statement: The results of this study can be used by policy makers when developing strategies to improve access to dental care for young children in Medicaid. With consideration to promoting earlier preventive dental visits for publicly insured children, this study could lead to early interventions and improved health outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
03:26Framing Effects
02:40The Eukaryotic Promoter Region
02:40The Eukaryotic Promoter Region
01:23Inhaled Medications
00:50Anaphase Promoting Complex
01:29Drug Dosing: Infants and Children