Racial Disparities in Access to Preventive Dental Services in Pediatric Population: A Secondary Data Analysis

Though preventive measures are available to alleviate the burden of dental caries, there remain racial disparities in the utilization of preventative dental care. Our objectives were to determine whether racial disparities persisted in receiving preventive oral procedures between (1) Black children and white children; and (2) Hispanic children and white children.

We used pooled Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data in the United States from 2018 to 2021. The key outcome variable involved the use of preventive dental services (ie, examination, x-rays, cleaning, dental sealant fitting, and fluoride treatment), while the main predictor variable involved race (ie, whether they were white, Black, or Hispanic children).

Controlling for covariates, there was no statistical significance in the odds of Hispanic and white children in receiving x-rays, sealants, and fluoride treatment ( P < .001). Black children had significantly lower odds of receiving oral examination, x-rays, and fluoride treatment than their white counterparts ( P < .01).

This study highlights the massive strides made in the utilization of preventive dental services by Hispanic children in the United States along with the persisting disparities largely present for Black children; however, further studies are needed focusing on structural, sociocultural, and factors contributing to these disparities.