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American Public Health Association
133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition
December 10-14, 2005
Philadelphia, PA
APHA 2005
 
3072.2: Monday, December 12, 2005 - Board 7

Abstract #121389

Factors associated with access to dental care services among children with special health care needs in the American Dental Association’s 5th district

Debra Kane, PhD, RN, APRN, Iowa Department of Public Health/Centers for Disease Control, Bureau of Family Health, 321 E 12th St., 5th Floor, Lucas State Office Building, Des Moines, IA 50319, 515-281-4952, duk6@cdc.gov, Nicholas Mosca, DDS, Mississippi Department of Health, P. O. Box 1700, Jackson, MS 39215, and Marianne Zotti, DrPH, RN, FAAN, Division of Reproductive Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy. NE, MS K-22, Altanta, GA 30341.

Failure to obtain routine care and low family income have been associated with failure to obtain dental care among children with special health care needs (CSHCN) who reside in southern states with high poverty levels. A similar relationship may exist between specialty care and dental care. This study examined the relationship between failure to obtain specialty care and failure to obtain dental care for CSHCN. We used the 2001 National CSHCN Survey data for respondents from the American Dental Association's (ADA) 5th District (Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi; n=2092). Study variables included socio-demographic factors (e.g. age, race, family income, & health insurance), failure to obtain specialty or routine care (yes/no) and their effect on failure to obtain dental care (yes/no). Using SAS and SUDAAN, we conducted bivariate and logistic analyses. Seventy-six percent of CSHCN reported a need for dental care; 13.1% did not receive care. Logistic regression revealed that low family income (all income levels <400 % FPL had OR> 8; CIs= 1.4-49) and failure to obtain specialty care (OR=12.7; CI = 3.5-46.7) were significantly associated with failure to obtain dental care; failure to obtain routine care was not (OR=2.1; CI=0.3-14.5). Low income families were less likely to perceive a need for dental care (p<.000). Although imprecise due to sample size, these results suggest that failure to obtain dental care by CSHCN residing in southern states with high poverty levels may be related to perception of need and to income. Examination of ADA region interaction with key independent variables is underway.

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: Oral Health, Children With Special Needs

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Late Breaker Poster II

The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA