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Sealant use and dental utilization in U.S. children
G Cherry-Peppers1, H C Gift, J A Brunelle
1Epidemiology and Oral Disease Prevention Program, National Institute of Dental Research, NIH, USA.
ASDC Journal of Dentistry for Children
|July 1, 1995
Summary
Dental sealant use and dental visits are lower for Black children compared to White children, especially in higher socioeconomic groups. This highlights disparities in preventive dental care access and utilization.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Health Disparities
Background:
- Dental sealants are a proven preventive therapy for oral diseases.
- Historically, dental sealant use and dental visits have been lower among Black children in the U.S.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the reported use of dental sealants and dental visits in U.S. children aged 6-17.
- To investigate how family income, education, and race interact to influence these preventive dental behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the 1989 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS).
- Analyzed sealant use and dental visit rates across different racial and socioeconomic groups.
Main Results:
- Overall, 15% of children (6-17) had dental sealants, and 73% had a dental visit in the past year.
- Racial disparities in sealant use and dental visits were more pronounced in middle and upper socioeconomic strata.
- White children with higher parental education and income had higher sealant rates (24%) than comparable Black children (11%).
- Black children with college-educated parents had fewer dental visits (68%) than similar White children (86%).
Conclusions:
- Socioeconomic factors and race significantly interact to affect access to and utilization of preventive dental services.
- Targeted programs are needed to address behavioral, attitudinal, and access barriers to improve dental care for underserved children.
- Findings underscore the need for interventions to reduce racial and socioeconomic disparities in pediatric oral health.