Disparities in Access to Dental Care in San Francisco During COVID-19 Pandemic: Analysis of RAPID-SF Survey.

Abstract

Background: Access to dental care can be influenced by various factors, including socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, household language, education level, insurance, and emergency situations. This study aims to assess dental care access of children of San Francisco families during the COVID-19 pandemic and identify barriers to dental care access.

Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized data from the 2022 RAPID-SF Surveys conducted by the Stanford Early Childhood Center and the San Francisco Department of Public Health. The surveys, distributed across San Francisco, consisted of three baseline and three follow-up surveys. Associations between children's past-year dental visits during the pandemic and demographic factors such as race, ethnicity, language, insurance, financial status, and education were evaluated.

Results: A total of 680 families from San Francisco responded to baseline surveys (B1: 403, B2: 242, B3: 35). Follow-up surveys were excluded from analysis due to considerable loss to follow-up. About 34% reported difficulty accessing dental care for their children during COVID-19. Lower education, low income, and non-employer-based insurance were significantly associated with fewer dental visits (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: The RAPID-SF survey identified significant oral health disparities in San Francisco during COVID-19, driven by income, education, and insurance type. Collaborative efforts by dentists, policymakers, and public health organizations are crucial to addressing these inequities. The RAPID-SF survey is a model for identifying disparities and guiding interventions to improve oral health outcomes during public health emergencies.

Practical implications: Strategies should be implemented to ensure San Francisco families have equitable access to dental services during public health emergencies.