Rural‐Urban Differences in Dental Service Utilization and Dental Service Procedures Received Among US Adults: Results From the 2016 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey

Abstract

Purpose To assess rural‐urban differences in dental service use and procedures and to explore the interaction effects of individual‐ and county‐level factors on having dental service use and procedures. Methods Data were from the 2016 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). We assessed rural‐urban differences in 3 outcome variables: number of dental visits (1, 2, or 3+ visits), preventive care procedures (Yes/No), and treatment procedures (Yes/No). The study sample included 8,199 adults ≥ 18 years of age who reported at least 1 dental visit in the past year. Sampling weights embedded in MEPS were incorporated into all the analyses. Findings A significant interaction between residential location and race/ethnicity (P = .030) suggested limited access to dental visits for minority groups, especially for blacks in the more rural areas. Adults from a more rural area were less likely to have received a preventive procedure (AOR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.35‐0.87) than those from an urban area. Adults of racial/ethnic minority groups, with lower SES, and without dental insurance were less likely to have received a preventive procedure (all P < .01) but were more likely to have received a treatment procedure (all P < .05). Conclusions The study showed rural adults were less likely to have received preventive dental procedures than their urban counterparts. Racial/ethnic minority groups living in a more rural area had even more limited access to dental services. Innovative service delivery models that integrate telehealth and community‐based case management may contribute to addressing these gaps in rural communities.

Rural-urban differences in oral health among older people in Southern Brazil

“…5 Residing in rural areas is associated with poor oral health. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13] Indeed, the rural population is becoming older and sicker. 12 Previous studies evaluating rural and urban oral health reported differences in oral health service utilization 7,10,11 and the oral healthrelated quality of life (OHRQoL).…”

“…[7][8][9][10][11][12][13] Indeed, the rural population is becoming older and sicker. 12 Previous studies evaluating rural and urban oral health reported differences in oral health service utilization 7,10,11 and the oral healthrelated quality of life (OHRQoL). 12,13 Some authors have attributed urban-rural differences in oral health to barriers in access and utilization of dental services, 10,14 with lower access in rural areas.…”

US adults with diabetes mellitus: Variability in oral healthcare utilization

“…However, African Americans or Hispanics with diabetes, or diabetic individuals with fewer natural teeth are less likely to have had a dental visit within the past year [ 17 , 18 ]. Additionally, prior studies of the general US adult population have reported that rural residents have lower odds of having received preventive dental procedures or having had a dental visit in the past year compared to metropolitan residents [ 19 , 20 ].…”

An Investigation of the Association between Health Screening and Dental Scaling in Korea

“…Sex showed a significant relationship with the utilization of dental services; females had a higher tendency to use dental services than males [50][51][52][53]. Rural areas with a lack of service utility and personnel also have access limitations [54][55][56][57][58][59][60]. However, interventions for children with registered dentist programs did not show significant inequalities based on these factors [61].…”