Improving utilization of preventive dental services by Medicaids-enrolled children: focus on the parents

The Access to Baby and Child Dentistry (ABCD) program was implemented in Washington State in 1995 to increase utilization of dental services for children enrolled in Medicaid. The program has increased utilization of services; nevertheless, only 54 percent of Medicaid-enrolled children in ABCD who received care were given a topical fluoride treatment. To gain a better understanding of why children may not be receiving topical fluoride treatment, we interviewed parents. Focus group research found strong parental support for preventive services. Parents were willing to take their children to regular dental visits, but lack of knowledge of benefits was common. This lack of knowledge translated into a failure to fully utilize the topical fluoride benefits. We recommend that the program continue to encourage participation of dentists, regularly update information about program benefits for both dentists and parents, and enhance the visibility of the program in the community.