The impact of the affordable care act's Medicaid expansion on dental care use through 2016

Objective

To examine the impact of the Affordable Care Act on dental care use among low‐income adults ages 21‐64.

Methods

Our analysis uses national survey data from the 2010‐2016 Gallup Wellbeing‐Index. We use a differences‐in‐differences analysis to assess changes since the end of 2013 in dental care use among low‐income adults. We compare changes in states that expanded Medicaid and offer adult Medicaid dental benefits versus changes in other states.

Results

Relative to the pre‐reform period and other states, in Medicaid expansion states with adult dental benefits, dental care use increased 3‐6 percentage points in 2016.

Conclusions

In Medicaid expansion states with adult dental benefits, evidence suggests that low‐income adults have greater access to dental care.