J Korean Acad Nurs.  2004 Dec;34(8):1460-1467.

Predictors of the Utilization of Oral Health Services by Children of Low-income Families in the United States: Beliefs, Cost, or Provider?

• Rhee Kim Y
• Telleen S

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study examined the predictive factors enabling access to children's oral health care at the level of financial barriers, beliefs, and the provider. METHODS: In-depth interviews were conducted with 320 immigrant mothers of low-income families regarding their use of oral health services for children aged four to eight years old. Access to oral health care was measured with frequency of planned dental visits, continuity of care, and age at first visit to dentist. RESULTS: The mother took her child to the dentist at a younger age if she received referrals to a dentist from pediatrician. Regular dental visits were significantly related to household income, provider availability on weekends, and insurance coverage. The extended clinic hours in the evenings, and the belief in the importance of the child's regular dentist visits increased the likelihood of continuing care. The mothers perceiving a cost burden for the child's dental care were also less likely to return to the dentist. CONCLUSION: The available care delivery system, coordinated medical care, and health beliefs were among important predictors of the health service use. The study findings suggest need for culturally competent dental health interventions to enhance access to oral health care among particularly vulnerable populations such as low-income children in Korean communities.

Keyword

Access to care; Oral health; Low-income population; Attitude to health

MeSH Terms

Adult
Attitude to Health/*ethnology
Chicago
Child
Child, Preschool
Clinical Competence/standards
Continuity of Patient Care/standards
Cultural Diversity
Dental Care for Children/economics/*utilization
Emigration and Immigration
Female
Focus Groups
Health Care Surveys
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Health Services Accessibility/standards
Health Services Needs and Demand
Hispanic Americans/education/*ethnology
Humans
Mexico/ethnology
Mothers/education/*psychology
Multivariate Analysis
Nursing Methodology Research
Poverty/economics/*ethnology
Puerto Rico/ethnology
Questionnaires