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BMC Oral Health

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Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research article

Consequences of community water fluoridation cessation for Medicaid-eligible children and adolescents in Juneau, Alaska

Authors: Jennifer Meyer, Vasileios Margaritis, Aaron Mendelsohn

Published in: BMC Oral Health | Issue 1/2018

Abstract

Background

The general aim of this research was to determine whether cessation of community water fluoridation (CWF) increased oral health disparities, as measured by dental caries procedures and restoration costs for children and adolescents.

Methods

The analysis was based on all Medicaid dental claims records of 0- to 18-year-old patients residing in zip code 99801 (Juneau, Alaska) during an optimal CWF year (2003, n = 853) compared to all claims for the same age group from 2012 (n = 1052), five years after cessation of CWF. A bivariate analysis (Mann-Whitney U test) of the mean number of caries procedures performed per client was conducted in the study groups under both independent CWF conditions. Furthermore, logistic regression was performed using the dependent variables of caries procedures and the cost of caries-related procedures, with adjustments for CWF group, gender, and race.

Results

The statistically significant results included a higher mean number of caries-related procedures among 0- to 18-year-old and < 7-year-old patients in the suboptimal CWF group (2.35 vs. 2.02, p < 0.001; 2.68 vs. 2.01, p = 0.004, respectively). The mean caries-related treatment costs per patient were also significantly higher for all age groups, ranging from a 28 to 111% increase among the suboptimal CWF cohorts after adjusting for inflation. The binary logistic regression analysis results indicated a protective effect of optimal CWF for the 0- to 18-year-old and < 7-year-old age groups (OR = 0.748, 95% CI [0.62, 0.90], p = 0.002; OR = 0.699, 95% CI [0.52, 0.95], p = 0.02, respectively). Additionally, the age group that underwent the most dental caries procedures and incurred the highest caries treatment costs on average were those born after CWF cessation.

Conclusions

These results expand our understanding of caries epidemiology under CWF cessation conditions and reaffirm that optimal CWF exposure prevents dental decay. These findings can offer fiscal estimates of the cost burden associated with CWF cessation policies and help decision-makers advance oral health, prevent dental caries, and promote equity in oral health outcomes.

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Title: Consequences of community water fluoridation cessation for Medicaid-eligible children and adolescents in Juneau, Alaska
Authors: Jennifer Meyer
Vasileios Margaritis
Aaron Mendelsohn
Publication date: 01-12-2018
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Oral Health / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6831
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-018-0684-2

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Consequences of community water fluoridation cessation for Medicaid-eligible children and adolescents in Juneau, Alaska

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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