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Access to endodontic care in N orth C arolina public health and M edicaid settings
Author(s) -
Richardson Steven L.,
Khan Asma A.,
Rivera Eric M.,
Phillips Ceib
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of public health dentistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.64
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1752-7325
pISSN - 0022-4006
DOI - 10.1111/jphd.12041
Subject(s) - medicaid , reimbursement , medicine , dentistry , graduation (instrument) , family medicine , health care , dental care , logistic regression , dental insurance , root canal , public health , nursing , geometry , mathematics , economics , economic growth
Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate issues related to access to endodontic care in N orth C arolina for individuals who used dental public health resources such as public health clinics ( PHC s) or private practices that accept M edicaid or other government‐sponsored reimbursement programs private practices that accept Medicaid (PPM). Methods Surveys were sent to 1,195 dentists regarding frequency and type of endodontic conditions encountered, treatments provided, and perceived barriers to care. Results were analyzed using logistic regression with the level of significance set at 0.05. Results Five hundred forty‐six surveys were returned for a 45.7% response rate. Of the respondents, 79% reported frequently encountering an endodontic condition, but only 34% reported performing any type of definitive endodontic procedure. Graduates after the year 2000 were significantly more likely to perform definitive endodontic procedures ( P < 0.05). Lack of insurance was the greatest barrier to care with 89% considering it a moderate to major barrier, followed by cost of the endodontic treatment (87%) and cost of the restoration following treatment (86%). PPMs were more likely to consider cost and insurance a major barrier ( P < 0.05). Conclusions In N orth C arolina public health and M edicaid settings, the frequency of endodontic treatments provided was much lower than the frequency of endodontic conditions encountered that might have benefited from treatment. Graduation year was the best indicator for the provision of root canal therapy. Additionally, treatment patterns and perceptions of barriers to care are different for PHCs and PPMs .