Dental Care Utilization Among Patients Receiving Primary Care Within a Massachusetts Accountable Care Organization.

Abstract

Objectives: To characterize demographic factors associated with dental care utilization in the past year among patients receiving primary care at a Massachusetts Accountable Care Organization -participating health system.

Methods: Electronic medical record data were obtained for unique primary care patients who completed oral health screening at a single Massachusetts ACO-participating health system between July 1, 2023, and March 1, 2024. Dental care utilization was assessed using patients' self-reported receipt of dental care in the previous 12 months. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models assessed associations between patient demographics and non-utilization of dental care.

Results: Overall, 38% of patients had not utilized dental care in the past year. Compared with reference groups in their respective categories, higher odds of non-utilization were observed among males (OR 1.21; 95% CI: 1.16-1.26), children aged 0-5 (OR 3.97; 95% CI: 3.51-4.48), adults aged ≥ 60 (OR 4.03; 95% CI: 3.61-4.49), Haitian Creole speakers (OR 1.78; 95% CI: 1.59-2.00), Asian patients (OR 1.27; 95% CI: 1.16-1.38) and publicly insured patients (OR 2.34; 95% CI: 2.19-2.49).

Conclusions: Disparities in self-reported dental care utilization were observed across sex, age, language, race, and insurance status within a single Massachusetts Accountable Care Organization -participating health system.