Effect of WIC and Medicaid/SCHIP on Oral Health of Low-Income Children
Dahlia Naqib
Advisor: Saba W. Masho, MD, MPH
Preceptor: Tegwyn H. Brickhouse, DDS, PhD
Objectives. Oral caries is the most prevalent chronic disease among US children, and disproportionately impacts those of low socioeconomic status. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women Infants and Children (WIC) improves access to dental care among Medicaid children. This study compared the impact of WIC, Medicaid, and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) on dental caries.
Methods. The 1999-2000 and 2001-2002 NHANES data were utilized for this analysis. Children 2-4 years old who participated in WIC, Medicaid, or SCHIP, and for whom both interview and complete oral health exam data were available (n = 610) were included in the study. Multivariate logistic regression modeling was conducted to examine the effects of program participation on caries.
Results. There was no statistically significant association between dental caries and participation in public assistance programs. Although insignificant, when compared to children who participated in Medicaid/SCHIP only, children were less likely to have dental caries if they participated in both WIC and Medicaid/SCHIP (OR = 0.97; 95% CI = 0.576, 1.639), or in WIC only (OR = 0.65; 95% CI = 0.361, 1.185). Dental caries were not impacted if the child had no regular dental care provider (OR = 1.24; 95% CI = 0.694, 2.22) or did not have a preventive dental visit in the past 6 months (OR =0.79; 95% CI = 0.486, 1.277).
Conclusions. Participation in WIC and Medicaid/SCHIP together or in WIC only does not reduce the risk of dental caries compared to children only in Medicaid/SCHIP. Because low-income children constitute a high-risk group requiring more specialized efforts, this program partnership must provide targeted interventions to prevent dental caries in addition to improving access to dental care.
