Family Income and Utilization Disparities for Dental Access of Minority Children: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

AbstractPurposeThrough the use Minorities’ Diminished Return theory, this study aimed to assess the concepts of the theory for access to and utilization of dental care of minority children, compared to White children, when all race/ethnicity groups achieve higher socioeconomic status.MethodsThis study was designed cross-sectionally from 21,599 subjects responding to the 2017 National Survey of Children’s Health. The outcome variables of access to and utilization of dental care were compared across Hispanic and non-Hispanic White, Black, Asian, and Multi-race children. Logistic regression models estimated the effects of race/ethnicity on each outcome, with adjustments for child sex, parental education, child age, and income-to-needs ratio.ResultsThe findings showed that compared to White children, when all racial/ethnic groups increased family income and socioeconomic status, Black and Multi-race children received less health gains in the outcomes of access to and utilization of dental care; and Hispanic children experienced less access to dental care.ConclusionsMinorities’ Diminished Return theory provides evidence of structural barriers which negatively impact the health gains from higher socioeconomic status for access to and utilization of dental care for Black, Hispanic, and Multi-race children. Dentists and policymakers must address systemic racism and structural barriers for oral health equity among all children.