Oral Health Care Needs of Youth Transitioning from Foster Care

2017

Ann Carrellas
[email protected]
313-577-8562

Children who have aged out of the foster care system face considerable barriers in accessing oral health care. Although this population of foster care alumni may have Medicaid insurance while they are in care to cover dental care, 39 percent of youth who are aging out of foster care do not have dental insurance (Courtney et al., 2011). This mixed method study examines factors that may contribute to the oral health care disparities of children who have transitioned from foster care (n=66). Multivariate analysis revealed that foster care alumni without dental insurance are almost 3 times less likely to have their dental needs met than those with dental insurance. Themes from the qualitative data indicated a lack of oral health care, quality of life issues, and lack of support to access ongoing dental care. Most state Medicaid programs do not provide comprehensive dental care for adults past the age of 20 contributing to oral health disparities among this population. Education and the add

Peer-reviewed publications in scholarly journals submitted

Professionals

Electronic (disc, CD, 508 compliant web posting)

N/A