Authors: White, Halley R.; Lee, Jessica Y.; Rozier, Gary R.

Source: Pediatric Dentistry, Volume 30, Number 1, January / February 2008 , pp. 70-75(6)

Publisher: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

Abstract:

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of state-level general anesthesia (GA) legislation on operating room visits for the treatment of dental caries on preschool-aged children. Methods: The North Carolina Ambulatory Surgery Discharge Database was used to observe GA visits for fiscal years (FY) 1997 to 2001. A pretest/post-test design with concurrent comparison groups was used for 2 analyses: (1) all children treated for dental caries were compared to those treated for otitis media; and (2) those whose treatment for dental caries was reimbursed by Medicaid were compared to those whose treatment for dental caries was not reimbursed by Medicaid. Results: In the prelegislation period (FY 1997 and 1998), there were 3,857 GA visits for dental care and 21,038 for otitis media. Postlegislation (FY 2000 and 2001) dental visits increased to 5,511 (43%), and otitis media visits increased to 22,279 (6%)—a statistically significant difference (P<.05). Before the legislation, there were 1,370 non-Medicaid dental visits and 2,487 Medicaid dental visits. Non-Medicaid and Medicaid dental visits postlegislation increased to 2,195 (60%) and 3,316 (33%), respectively. This difference was significant (P<.05). Conclusions: General anesthesia legislation resulted in an increase in access to care for children needing dental care in North Carolina.

Keywords: GENERAL ANESTHESIA LEGISLATION; ACCESS TO DENTAL CARE; GENERAL ANESTHESIA; LEGISLATION; POLICY

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2008-01-01

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• Pediatric Dentistry is the official publication of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and the College of Diplomates of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. It is published bi-monthly and is internationally recognized as the leading journal in the area of pediatric dentistry. The journal promotes the practice, education and research specifically related to the specialty of pediatric dentistry. This peer-reviewed journal features scientific articles, case reports and abstracts of current pediatric dental research.
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