Dental Coverage and Utilization for California’s Children – Data and Policy 2009 USC Child Health Research Symposium March 2009 Joel Diringer, JD, MPH, Kathy Phipps, DrPH, RDH
Data and policy issues Dental coverage for children New 2007 data on Healthy Kids utilization of dental coverage Policy discussions that could impact children’s dental coverage and utilization
Dental coverage for children, 2007 Source: CHIS 2007
Who is getting care? Percent of Healthy Kids enrollees with a dental visit, 2007 Source: Delta Dental, 2006
Children’s utilization of dental coverage – all children
Children’s utilization of dental coverage – younger children
Who is getting care? Percent of Healthy Kids enrollees with a dental visit by age group, 2007 Source: Delta Dental, Safeguard 2007
What kind of care are children getting in Healthy Kids?
What kind of care are they getting? Type of care received by Healthy Kids enrollees, 2007 Source: Delta Dental, Safeguard 2007
What kind of care are they getting? Percent of Healthy Kids enrollees that received sealants and/or fluoride treatments, 2007 Source: Delta Dental, 2007
Changes in utilization and types of services received by children enrolled in Healthy Kids Delta Dental plan
CHIP reauthorization –Expanded outreach/enrollment for Medi-Cal and Healthy Families –Dental “wrap-around” coverage available through CHIP expansion –FQHCs: reimbursements increase for Healthy Families and clarification of contracting for outside services –Performance reporting and quality assurance State budget –Elimination of Denti-Cal for adults will impact availability of care for children Policy opportunities/threats
More information: Diringer and Associates PO Box San Luis Obispo, CA