Family Income and Utilization Disparities for Dental Access of Minority Children: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Purpose: Through the use Minorities' Diminished Return theory, this study aimed to assess the concepts of the theory for access to and utilization of dental care of minority children, compared to White children, when all race/ethnicity groups achieve higher socioeconomic status. Methods: This study was designed cross-sectionally from 21,599 subjects responding to the 2017 National Survey of Children's Health. The outcome variables of access to and utilization of dental care were compared across Hispanic and non-Hispanic White, Black, Asian, and Multi-race children. Logistic regression models estimated the effects of race/ethnicity on each outcome, with adjustments for child sex, parental education, child age, and income-to-needs ratio. Results: The findings showed that compared to White children, when all racial/ethnic groups increased family income and socioeconomic status, Black and Multi-race children received less health gains in the outcomes of access to and utilization of dental care; and Hispanic children experienced less access to dental care. Conclusions: Minorities' Diminished Return theory provides evidence of structural barriers which negatively impact the health gains from higher socioeconomic status for access to and utilization of dental care for Black, Hispanic, and Multi-race children. Dentists and policymakers must address systemic racism and structural barriers for oral health equity among all children.

Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

Funding Statement

This study was funded by the Hansjorg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, NYU Langone Health

Author Declarations

I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained.

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The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below:

The NYU Grossman School of Medicine Institutional Review Board reviewed and determined this study (Protocol number 20-01537) did not qualify as human-subjects research.

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Yes

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