ABSTRACT
The second year utilization and cost data were reviewed for the Medical Assistance sealant program in Washington State. This report covers the period from November 1, 1986 to October 31, 1987. A total of 6,814 children received sealants, or 17.2 percent of all individuals (ages six to fourteen) who made at least one visit to a dentist. Sealants were placed on 21,685 teeth, with an average of 3.18 teeth sealed per child. This represents 2,095 or 10.7 percent more teeth sealed than in the first year of the program. There were 726 dentists who participated in the sealant program during the study period, for an increase of 22 percent over the previous year of the project. The total cost of providing sealants to this group of children was $193,303. This represents an increase of 12 percent for the second project year. In 1987 there were eighteen states that included sealants as a dental benefit for EPSDT children. A 1988 survey of dental programs in Medicaid reveals, however, that twenty-two states now provide sealants as a covered service. The second-year report shows steady progress in the Washington State Medical Assistance sealant program.
Subject(s)
Child Health Services , Medical Assistance , Pit and Fissure Sealants/therapeutic use , Adolescent , Child , Child Health Services/economics , Costs and Cost Analysis , Dental Health Services/economics , Humans , Medical Assistance/economics , Retrospective Studies , Time Factors , WashingtonABSTRACT
The total cost of providing sealants to a group of 6,191 children (17.3 percent of those eligible) by an average of 1,317 dentists participating in the program from November 1985 through October 1986 was $17,535. There were 593 dentists who placed sealants during the one-year program, with an average of 3.16 teeth sealed per child. It is anticipated that more children will be treated during the second year of the sealant project.
Subject(s)
Delivery of Health Care , Pit and Fissure Sealants/therapeutic use , Adolescent , Child , Child Health Services/economics , Costs and Cost Analysis , Delivery of Health Care/economics , Humans , WashingtonABSTRACT
The effectiveness of sealants in protecting the occlusal surfaces of teeth has been demonstrated in many clinical investigations, yet many dentists in private practice have been slow to offer sealants to their patients. The majority of dentists (80.7 percent) who responded to the survey in Washington state are currently using sealants. There appears to be a relationship between the use of sealants and the organizational structure of the practice.
