Methods: Data from the 2006 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), a complex sample providing nationally representative estimates for the U.S. non-institutionalized civilian population, were used for this analysis. Parameter estimates (utilization proportions in different groups) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using appropriate weights for obtaining standard errors. Chi-square tests were used for difference in proportions. Multi-variable binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify independent predictors of dental utilization employing SAS®V9.2 survey procedures.
Results: MEPS (2006) represented 222,539,134 non-institutionalized adult U.S. civilians. Of these, 42 percent visited the dentist during the past one year. Dental utilization was greater for higher age groups, with ages 55-64 years being 44% more likely to report a dental visit than ages 18-24 years (Adj. OR=1.44, p<0.0001). Men were 33% less likely to report a dental visit than women (Adj. OR=0.67, p<0.0001). Hispanics were 48% less likely to report a dental visit compared to Non-Hispanic Whites (Adj. OR=0.52, p<0.0001). The low income (<100% FPL) group was 58% less likely to report a dental visit than the high-income group (400+% FPL). Those respondents with public- and no- dental insurance were significantly less likely to report a dental visit than those persons with private dental coverage (Adj. ORs of 0.69 and 0.52, respectively (p<0.0001)).
Conclusion: Less than half of the U.S. civilian non-institutionalized population reported a dental visit during 2006. Determinants of dental utilization included: being older, female, Non-Hispanic White, having higher income, excellent perceived health, and having private dental insurance. Initiatives to increase utilization of dental services by under-utilizing groups will help to address utilization disparities.
Acknowledgement: This study was supported by NIDCR.