Juvenile orthodontic treatment claims within a large dental insurer

M F Antkowiak; R A Kuthy

doi:10.1016/0889-5406(93)70022-G

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Juvenile orthodontic treatment claims within a large dental insurer

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Juvenile orthodontic treatment claims within a large dental insurer

M F Antkowiak and R A Kuthy

American journal of orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, Vol.104(1), pp.1-7

07/1993

DOI: 10.1016/0889-5406(93)70022-G

PMID: 8322716

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Abstract

Despite many investigations regarding the relationship of health care insurance and the use of dental services, few studies have specifically examined coverage for orthodontic care. This preliminary investigation provides descriptive data concerning orthodontic services from one of the nation's largest health care insurance companies. Of the more than 1.3 million juvenile patients (ages 5 through 15 years) treated between 1986 and 1989, approximately 10.6% received comprehensive orthodontic therapy. Claims were also analyzed for variation across states and National Institute for Dental Research (NIDR) regions (with Alaska and Hawaii comprising region VIII) in terms of use and class of malocclusion. The largest percentage of comprehensive orthodontic cases in relation to the number of persons receiving any dental care exists in region III (Midwest) (11.6%). Analysis by state shows Washington, Delaware, and Pennsylvania as the leading orthodontic providers (14.3%, 13.5%, and 13.0%, respectively). Female patients comprised 56.5% of those with full-mouth treatment. Treatment most frequently commences at ages 12 years (23%) and 13 years (21.8%). In terms of classes of malocclusion, comprehensive treatment for Angle Class II is predominant (55.7%), followed by Class I (40.1%), and Class III (4.2%). Relative to total orthodontic use, Region VIII demonstrates the highest concentration of Class I patients (46%). Region I (New England) displays the greatest number of Class II cases (59.8%), whereas the largest number of Class III patients is found in the southeastern United States (region IV) (5.2%). Overall, the use of comprehensive orthodontic treatment is relatively constant over all regions, (except regions V, VI, and VIII, which fall below 10%), and mirrors that of overall dental services.

Orthodontics, Corrective - statistics & numerical data

Health Services Needs and Demand - statistics & numerical data

Residence Characteristics

United States - epidemiology

Malocclusion - epidemiology

Humans

Insurance, Dental

Child, Preschool

Male

Tooth Movement Techniques - statistics & numerical data

Tooth Movement Techniques - utilization

Orthodontics, Corrective - utilization

Adolescent

Sex Factors

Female

Orthodontics, Interceptive - utilization

Orthodontics, Interceptive - statistics & numerical data

Child

Malocclusion - therapy

Oral Health Policy

Details

Title: Subtitle: Juvenile orthodontic treatment claims within a large dental insurer
Creators: M F Antkowiak - Ohio State University College of Dentistry, Columbus
R A Kuthy
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: American journal of orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, Vol.104(1), pp.1-7
Publisher: United States
DOI: 10.1016/0889-5406(93)70022-G
PMID: 8322716
ISSN: 0889-5406
eISSN: 1097-6752
Language: English
Date published: 07/1993
Academic Unit: Preventive and Community Dentistry; Public Policy Center (Archive); Oral Health Policy Research
Record Identifier: 9983917771502771

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2 Times Cited - Web of Science