Impact of Mental Health Problems on Self-Perceived Oral Health Needs in a Medicaid Population. (March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Boothroyd, Roger A.; Ware, Annie
• Is Part Of: Evaluation & the health professions. Volume 38:Number 1(2015:Mar.)
• Page Start: 73
• Page End: 93
• Publication Date: 2015-03
• Subjects: mental health -- oral health -- Medicaid -- adults -- mail survey; Medical care -- Evaluation -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Ability testing -- Periodicals; 362.105
• DOI: 10.1177/0163278714537271
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0163-2787

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of self-perceived oral health needs among Medicaid-enrolled adults with and without mental health problems and to identify factors predictive of enrollees' perceived oral health needs. The study involved a secondary analysis of 1, 721 respondents to the Florida Health Services Survey. Contrary to the previous research, the findings from this study indicated that respondents with mental health problems (52.9%) did not differ significantly in their dental needs compared to those who did not have mental health problems (49.3%). The results from a logistic regression suggested that after controlling for demographic characteristics, substance abuse problems and functional needs increased the likelihood of self-reported oral health needs, whereas the receipt of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) was associated with decreased dental needs. The prevalence of unmet dental needs among these respondents (i.e., 23%) supported the conclusion that a significant gap exists in the accessibility of oral health services among this population.