Journal article
Transportation barriers and use of dental services among Medicaid-insured adults
JDR Clinical and Translational Research, Vol.3(1), pp.101-108
01/2018
DOI: 10.1177/2380084417714795
PMID: 30938652
Abstract
This study explores how travel distance and other transportation barriers are associated with dental utilization in a Medicaid expansion population. We analyzed data from the Iowa Dental Wellness Plan (DWP), which provides comprehensive dental benefits for low-income adults aged 19 to 64 y as part of Iowa's Medicaid expansion. Transportation and geographical characteristics were evaluated as enabling factors within the framework of Andersen's behavioral model of health services use. In March 2015, a random sample of DWP members ( n = 4,800) was surveyed; adjusted survey response rate was 30% ( n = 1,258).The questionnaire was based on the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) Dental Plan Survey and assessed need for dental care, use of dental services and transportation to visits, and self-perceived oral health status. Respondent and dentist addresses were geocoded and used to calculate distance to the nearest DWP general dentist. A logistic regression model predicting utilization of dental care was developed using variables representing each domain of the behavioral model. Most respondents (57%) reported a dental visit since enrolling. Overall, 11% of respondents reported unmet dental need due to transportation problems. Median distance to the nearest general dentist was 1.5 miles. In the adjusted model, travel distance was not significantly associated with the likelihood of dental utilization. However, other transportation-related issues were significantly associated with utilization, including concern about cost of transportation and driver/passenger status. As concern about transportation cost increased, likelihood of having a dental visit decreased. Targeted approaches to assisting low-income populations with transportation barriers should be considered in designing policies and interventions to improve access to dental care. Knowledge Transfer Statement: The results of this study can be used by policy makers and public health planners when designing programs and interventions to improve access to dental care. Consideration of transportation availability and costs could improve utilization of routine dental care, especially among low-income populations.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Transportation barriers and use of dental services among Medicaid-insured adults
- Creators
- S C McKernan - University of Iowa, Preventive and Community DentistryJ. C Reynolds - University of Iowa, Preventive and Community DentistryA Ingleshwar - University of Iowa, Center for Social Science InnovationR. A Kuthy - University of Iowa, Center for Social Science InnovationP. C Damiano - University of Iowa, Preventive and Community DentistryM Pooley - University of Iowa, Center for Social Science Innovation
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- JDR Clinical and Translational Research, Vol.3(1), pp.101-108
- DOI
- 10.1177/2380084417714795
- PMID
- 30938652
- ISSN
- 2380-0852
- eISSN
- 2380-0852
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 06/09/2017
- Date published
- 01/2018
- Academic Unit
- Preventive and Community Dentistry; Public Policy Center (Archive); Oral Health Policy Research
- Record Identifier
- 9983756995902771
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