NCHS report measures access by private coverage

Hyattsville, Md.鈥擳hree of four persons under age 65 with private health insurance had some type of dental coverage in 2008, says a National Center for Health Statistics report on access to dental care.

“This report analyzes dental insurance status for persons under age 65 years who have private health insurance because of the limited or nonexistent public coverage for dental care,” said the report based on data from the National Health Interview Survey.

A primary indicator of access to dental care in the United States is dental insurance, and studies have shown that persons with private dental insurance have more dental visits in the previous year than persons without private dental insurance, the report said. Public assistance includes the Children鈥檚 Health Insurance Program and Medicaid, which require states to provide “limited” dental coverage and services.

Among approximately 172 million persons under age 65 years with private health insurance:

• The majority of persons, 73 percent, had some type of dental coverage; however, approximately 45 million persons had no dental coverage.
• About 8 of 10 persons with employment-based private health insurance had dental coverage compared with about 3 of 10 persons with directly purchased insurance.
• Non-Hispanic black persons were more likely to have dental insurance than non-Hispanic white persons, non-Hispanic Asian persons, or Hispanic persons.
• As income level increased, the percentage having dental insurance increased.

The study is posted at www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis.htm.