Adverse Childhood Experiences and utilization of dental care: A cross sectional study of children in the United States

Objectives

To examine the relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and utilization and delay of dental care among children.

Methods

Using data from the 2018–2019 National Survey of Children's Health (n = 53,963) we examined the association between ACEs and 1) dental health; 2) use of dental care; 3) use of preventive dental care; 4) delaying needed dental care. Logistic regressions were used to calculate odds of each outcome, with nine ACEs and the cumulative number of ACEs as the independent variables each in separate models.

Results

After accounting for confounders, most ACEs were associated with higher odds of having poorer dental health. Similarly, most ACEs were associated with lower odds of using dental care and higher odds of delaying needed dental care.

Conclusions

This study expands the research showing a deleterious impact of ACEs on utilization of health care by showing that dental care is also adversely impacted. Efforts must be undertaken to improve access to dental care for children with a history of ACEs.