156 - Barriers to Pediatric Dental Care for Military-Connected Youth

Purpose: To investigate factors affecting pediatric dental care in military-connected youth and to gather valuable insights regarding barriers to TRICARE Dental Plan (TDP) participation from professionals in pediatric dentistry.

Methods: A voluntary online survey utilizing Qualtrics was distributed to 6693 American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) affiliate members. The survey included questions about participation in the TDP and the greatest perceived barriers to dental care for military-connected youth.

Results: The total survey response number was 364. Of the respondents, 46% were TRICARE-authorized providers, while 54% were not. Among non-participating dentists, the top reason cited was low reimbursement rates. Others pointed to a lack of military families in their area and administrative difficulties with United Concordia. Of those who did participate in TRICARE, 83% were in-network. Most providers said their motivation in TRICARE participation was not financial—it was about supporting military families and service to country.
The two greatest perceived barriers to care were insurance-related issues and cost of care, and lack of continuity of care.


Conclusions: The principal reason as to why affiliate AAPD dentists do not participate in the TDP was that the reimbursement fees set by its current contract holder, United Concordia, were too low. The principal reason as to why affiliate AAPD dentists do participate in the TDP was support for military families and service to country. The greatest perceived barrier to oral health care for military-connected youth was insurance-related issues and the cost of care. The second greatest perceived barrier was lack of continuity of care.