Gap in Dental Care Utilization Between Medicaid and Privately Insured Children Narrows, Remains Large for Adults

Dental care utilization patterns have been shifting dramatically in the United States the past decade. More children than ever are visiting the dentist, with the largest increases over time coming from low-income children. In contrast, adult dental care utilization rates have been falling steadily for all income groups and also among those with private dental benefits coverage.1 Many factors are contributing to these trends. Financial barriers to dental care are increasing among adults, while for children they are much lower and have not changed over time. Expanded dental benefits coverage for children, mainly through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and decreased dental benefits coverage among adults have also played key roles.2,3,4