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Exploring the Impact of ACA on Rural‐Urban Disparity in Oral Health Services Among US Noninstitutionalized Adults
Author(s) -
Lee WeiChen,
Li ChihYing,
Serag Hani,
Tabrizi Maryam,
Kuo YongFang
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
the journal of rural health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.439
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1748-0361
pISSN - 0890-765X
DOI - 10.1111/jrh.12418
Subject(s) - medicine , receipt , medical expenditure panel survey , oral health , gerontology , environmental health , dental care , national health interview survey , rural area , family medicine , health care , health insurance , population , pathology , world wide web , computer science , economics , economic growth
Purpose To explore the effect of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on rural disparities in oral health services utilization based on disability status. Methods Comparing the 2011‐2013 with the 2014‐2016 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, the study estimated the impacts of ACA on the likelihood of having preventive checkup and utilization of dental treatments in adults older than 18. Findings The sample consists of 216,184 noninstitutionalized adults with 14.5% living in rural areas. There was a slight improvement in the receipt of oral health services after ACA, but the improvement was not statistically significant. Disability remains a barrier to receiving preventive oral health checkups, and living in rural areas is a barrier for both utilization of preventive checkups and dental treatments. Conclusions Unmet needs for preventive checkups may result in unnecessary, costly dental treatments. More strategies are needed to reduce the disparities in oral health services.