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RESEARCH IN ACTION
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality • www.ahrq.gov
Issue #13 July 2003
Dental Care: Improving Access and Quality
The oral health of Americans has improved in recent years, yet considerable gaps in the provision of dental care remain, according to a recent report by the Surgeon General.1 This Research in Action highlights dental care research sponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Studies look at the impact of factors such as reimbursement, race, income, and age on access to and use of care. Research suggests that educating families about how to enroll in and access the Medicaid system, streamlining Medicaid administrative procedures, and adjusting provider reimbursement could facilitate broader access to dental care. Studies show that specific treatments such as dental sealants for children may have a positive impact on both health outcomes and costs. The quality of dental care can be further improved by developing and using performance measures for specific treatments. Finally, the production of evidence reports evaluating research on various aspects of care helps to advance evidence-based dental practice and thereby improve the quality of care. leading types of dental disease: tooth decay (dental caries) and periodontal disease. Dental care can be either preventive or restorative. Preventive care, such as tooth cleaning and dental sealants, is aimed at avoiding dental problems. Restorative care Making a Difference
Poor children receive fewer preventive health care visits than those with higher incomes…Page 3 Dental sealants can reduce the number of cavities and decrease the cost of care in the Medicaid program… Page 4 Minority elderly receive less dental care because of financial barriers to care…Page 5 Unexplained variations in dentists’ clinical decisions are widespread…Page 6 Relative cost-effectiveness of dental crowns and their alternatives has not been established…Page 7 Use of performance
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality • www.ahrq.gov
Issue #13 July 2003
Dental Care: Improving Access and Quality
The oral health of Americans has improved in recent years, yet considerable gaps in the provision of dental care remain, according to a recent report by the Surgeon General.1 This Research in Action highlights dental care research sponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Studies look at the impact of factors such as reimbursement, race, income, and age on access to and use of care. Research suggests that educating families about how to enroll in and access the Medicaid system, streamlining Medicaid administrative procedures, and adjusting provider reimbursement could facilitate broader access to dental care. Studies show that specific treatments such as dental sealants for children may have a positive impact on both health outcomes and costs. The quality of dental care can be further improved by developing and using performance measures for specific treatments. Finally, the production of evidence reports evaluating research on various aspects of care helps to advance evidence-based dental practice and thereby improve the quality of care. leading types of dental disease: tooth decay (dental caries) and periodontal disease. Dental care can be either preventive or restorative. Preventive care, such as tooth cleaning and dental sealants, is aimed at avoiding dental problems. Restorative care Making a Difference
Poor children receive fewer preventive health care visits than those with higher incomes…Page 3 Dental sealants can reduce the number of cavities and decrease the cost of care in the Medicaid program… Page 4 Minority elderly receive less dental care because of financial barriers to care…Page 5 Unexplained variations in dentists’ clinical decisions are widespread…Page 6 Relative cost-effectiveness of dental crowns and their alternatives has not been established…Page 7 Use of performance