Field of Research: Health Service Research
Name of author )(s): Susan C. McKernan, Julie C. Reynolds, Elizabeth T. Momany, Raymond A. Kuthy, Elham T. Kateeb, Nancy B. Adrianse and Peter C. Damiano
Title of published work: “The relationship between altruistic attitudes and dentists’ Medicaid participation”
Name of Journal: Journal of American Dental Association; the official Journal of American Dental Association
Year: 2015
Volume: 164 Number 1
PP: 34-41
Publisher’s name and address: American Dental Association
Abstract:
Background: The authors investigated the role of private practitioners in the dental safety net, including the provision of care for Medicaid enrollees and attitudinal factors that affect participation.
Methods: In 2013, the authors sent a mixed-mode survey to all general dentists in Iowa assessing their current Medicaid participation and factors affecting participation, including attitudinal statements about altruism, the Medicaid program, and the government’s role in providing access to dental care.
Results: Fifty-six percent of responding dentists accepted new Medicaid-enrolled patients; dentists living in nonmetropolitan areas were significantly more likely to accept Medicaid than were those in metropolitan areas. Results from a logistic regression model demonstrated that participating dentists scored significantly higher in altruistic attitudes and perceived problems with Medicaid as less important.
Conclusions: Dentists who accepted Medicaid-enrolled patients had significantly more positive attitudes about Medicaid administration and altruistic attitudes in general. Investigators in future studies should examine how these attitudes are shaped by educational and professional experiences.
Practical Implications: Dentists’ perceptions about Medicaid potentially are modifiable by changing program policies in ways to improve access for vulnerable populations, including new Medicaid enrollees.
Contact details of contact author/co-author at AQU:
Name: Elham Kateeb
Address: Al Quds University, School of Dental Medicine
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Other similar links in this field:
Assessing the contribution of the dental care delivery system to oral health care disparities.Pourat N, Andersen RM, Marcus M. J Public Health Dent. 2014 Jun 25. doi: 10.1111/jphd.12064. [Epub ahead of print]
Reimbursement rates and policies for primary molar pit-and-fissure sealants across stateMedicaid programs. Chi DL, Singh J. J Am Dent Assoc. 2013 Nov;144(11):1272-8. Erratum in: J Am Dent Assoc. 2014 Jan;145(1):21.
Demographic and practice characteristics of Medicaid-participating dentists. Logan HL, Guo Y, Dodd VJ, Seleski CE, Catalanotto F. J Public Health Dent. 2014 Spring;74(2):139-46. doi: 10.1111/jphd.12037. Epub 2013 Sep 18.
