126 - Working towards Health Equity in School Based Dental Program

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare a children’s hospital’s dental clinic and school-based dental clinic to determine if a school-based program is an effective model for delivering dental care and addressing health disparities.

Methods: A 17-month retrospective chart review was completed for patients treated at either clinic. Demographic data between both groups were compared. Patients with caries from each clinic were matched based on age, sex, insurance status, and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder before comparing treatment data.

Results: Demographic data for the patients seen at the hospital dental clinic (31,547) and the school-based dental clinic (1,348) were compared. The school-based clinic served more patients from racial minorities, with Medicaid coverage or no coverage, and with caries or incipient caries at initial exam. The hospital clinic treated more Latino/Hispanic patients, non-English-speaking families, and patients with autism spectrum disorder. No difference was found between median patient age or the proportion of patients with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Treatment data compared from the 556 pairs of matched controls showed that school-based patients had more visits on average, more treatment plans completed, and more procedures completed. School-based patients also had better cooperation while having no procedures under nitrous oxide and fewer referrals for general anesthesia. No difference was found between referrals for sedation.

Conclusions: The school-based model treated proportionally more underserved children and completed more treatment plans with less nitrous oxide or general anesthesia. School-based dentistry is an effective model for delivering dental care and addressing oral health equity.