Health Services Financing and Utilization

RECEIPT OF PREVENTIVE CARE

In 2003, 58.8 percent of children were reported by parents to have had both a preventive medical and dental visit in the past year. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children have eight health care visits in their first year, three in their second year, and at least one per year from middle childhood through adolescence. The AAP also recommends that all children receive an oral health risk assessment by 6 months of age and a dental referral by 3 years; earlier referrals are appropriate for children found to be at risk. The traditional recommendation for oral health supervision is every 6 months thereafter; however, this should also be adjusted based on each child’s individual risk.

Males and females were equally as likely to have had both a preventive medical and dental visit in the past year; however, the rate of preventive visits varied by age, race and ethnicity, and family income. Children ages 6 to 11 years are most likely to have received both preventive and dental visits (63.0 percent), followed by children ages 12 to 17 years (61.9 percent). Receipt of regular preventive care rose with family income: children with family incomes below 100 percent of the Federal poverty level (FPL) were least likely to have received care in the past year (48.3 percent), while children with family incomes at 400 percent of the FPL or higher were most likely (69.8 percent). By race and ethnicity, Hispanic children were least likely to have received both types of care in the past year (48.8 percent) while non-Hispanic White children were most likely (62.4 percent).

> Bar Chart: Children Aged 0-17 Years Who Have Received Preventive Medical and Dental Care in the Past Year, by Race/Ethnicity: 2003

> Bar Chart: Children Aged 0-17 Years Who Have Received Preventive Medical and Dental Care in the Past Year, by Family Income: 2003