Racial disparities in orthodontic service use for Medicaid-enrolled children: An evaluation of the Washington Medicaid program

Jantraveus M Merritt; Geoffrey Greenlee; Anne Marie Bollen; JoAnna M Scott; Donald L Chi

doi:10.1016/j.ajodo.2015.09.025

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Racial disparities in orthodontic service use for Medicaid-enrolled children: An evaluation of the Washington Medicaid program

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Racial disparities in orthodontic service use for Medicaid-enrolled children: An evaluation of the Washington Medicaid program

Jantraveus M Merritt, Geoffrey Greenlee, Anne Marie Bollen, JoAnna M Scott and Donald L Chi

American journal of orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, Vol.149(4), pp.516-522

04/2016

DOI: 10.1016/j.ajodo.2015.09.025

PMCID: PMC4813324

PMID: 27021456

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Abstract

We assessed the relationship between race and orthodontic service use for Medicaid-enrolled children. This cross-sectional study focused on 570,364 Medicaid-enrolled children in Washington state, ages 6 to 19 years. The main predictor variable was self-reported race (white vs nonwhite). The outcome variable was orthodontic service use, defined as children who were preauthorized for orthodontic treatment by Medicaid in 2012 and subsequently received orthodontic records and initiated treatment. Logistic regression models were used to test the hypothesis that nonwhites are less likely to use orthodontic care than are whites. A total of 8223 children were approved by Medicaid for orthodontic treatment, and 7313 received records and began treatment. Nonwhites were significantly more likely to use orthodontic care than were whites (odds ratio [OR] = 1.18; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02, 1.36; P = 0.031). Hispanic nonwhite children were more likely to use orthodontic care than were non-Hispanic white children (OR = 1.42; 95% CI = 1.18, 1.70; P <0.001). In 2012, nonwhite children in the Washington Medicaid program were significantly more likely to use orthodontic care than were white children. The Washington Medicaid program demonstrates a potential model for addressing racial disparities in orthodontic service use. Future research should identify mechanisms underlying these findings and continue to monitor orthodontic service use for minority children in Medicaid.

Adolescent

African Americans - statistics & numerical data

Cariostatic Agents - therapeutic use

Child

Cross-Sectional Studies

Dental Prophylaxis - statistics & numerical data

Dental Records - statistics & numerical data

European Continental Ancestry Group - statistics & numerical data

Female

Fluorides, Topical - therapeutic use

Healthcare Disparities - statistics & numerical data

Hispanic Americans - statistics & numerical data

Humans

Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need

Male

Medicaid - statistics & numerical data

Minority Groups - statistics & numerical data

Oral Hygiene - education

Orthodontics, Corrective - statistics & numerical data

Orthodontics, Corrective - utilization

Pit and Fissure Sealants - therapeutic use

United States

Washington

Young Adult

Details

Title: Subtitle: Racial disparities in orthodontic service use for Medicaid-enrolled children: An evaluation of the Washington Medicaid program
Creators: Jantraveus M Merritt - University of Washington
Geoffrey Greenlee - University of Washington
Anne Marie Bollen - University of Washington
JoAnna M Scott - University of Washington
Donald L Chi - University of Washington
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: American journal of orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, Vol.149(4), pp.516-522
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajodo.2015.09.025
PMID: 27021456
PMCID: PMC4813324
NLM abbreviation: Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop
ISSN: 0889-5406
eISSN: 1097-6752
Grant note: K08 DE020856 / NIDCR NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 04/2016
Academic Unit: Public Policy Center (Archive)
Record Identifier: 9984283853502771

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