Utilization and Expenditure Changes of Dental Services Between 2016-2020: Disparity Analysis in USA Using Medical Expenditure Panel Survey.

This study aims to estimate changes in dental visit proportions and explore determinants of oral health care service (OHCS) utilization across the U.S. population, focusing on disparities related to race/ethnicity, poverty level, and other factors. Using data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) spanning 2016 to 2020, we analyzed annual dental service utilization and expenditures. Total and out-of-pocket expenses were assessed, and logistic regressions were conducted to determine odds ratios for utilization across different demographic groups. changes in utilization rates, visit numbers, and expenditures over the five-year period were reported using 2020 dollar value of all years. In 2020, the highest rates of dental utilization were observed among women (43%), non-Hispanic Whites (47%), and individuals with higher incomes (52%). Conversely, lower rates were seen among Hispanics (27%), the uninsured (14%), and Blacks (28%). Total dental expenditures peaked at $133 billion in 2018 and decreased to $104 billion in 2020, influenced notably by reduced service utilization during the COVID-19 pandemic peak. Racial disparities in dental utilization between Hispanics and Whites widened from 2016 to 2020, while disparities between Hispanics and Blacks showed some improvement, regardless of adjustments for poverty, education, region, and insurance status. Our findings underscore the necessity for policies aimed at reducing costs, increasing dental service utilization, and addressing disparities influenced by race, income, gender, and the impact of special events such as COVID-19.