An analysis of demographic factors and the dental services mix for an insured population in Massachusetts
Date
1997
DOI
Authors
Aljammaz, Abdulmohsen Abdullah
Version
OA Version
Citation
Abstract
The Massachusetts Public Employees Health and Welfare Fund (The Fund) provides as a benefit option dental coverage for the Massachusetts State Employees. The Fund provides two type of plans: Open Plan (Fee for Service or indemnity) and Closed Plan (Closed Panal or Prefer Provider Onganization). Of the 40,118 members registered in the dental plan a sample of 3,908 was randomly selected for this project to: 1- identify the members of both plans; 2- examine the difference in the demographic factors (age, income, occupation, area of residency, and education) of the members in both plans; 3- examine the services mix component in both plans; 4- examine the effect of plan type on the selection of services. By using the census data and the 1995 claims data for the sample, logistic regression analysis indicates that the Open Plan members are older (OR= 0.979, P[significantly less than]0.001), have a higher income (OR= 0.999, P[significantly less than]0.001), and have a higher likelihood of using preventive services (OR= 0.702, P[less than 0.001). Closed Plan members in turn have a higher likelihood of using full removable denture (OR= 7.933, P[less than 0.002), post (OR= 1.682, P[less than] 0.005), non-surgical Periodontal services (OR= 1.297, P[[significantly less] than 0.001), and diagnostic services (OR= 1.642, [significantly less than] 0.001).
Also in this study, the investigator compared the services mix trend with older studies done for the same membership plans. The data shows that over time the services mix of the two plan types are converging into a common services mix.
The main findings of this project: 1- census data can be used in dental health services research; 2- the demographic and services mix variables are different in the two groups; 3- Open Plan members are significantly older and have a higher income; 4- Open Plan members are more likely to use preventive services than CIosed Plan members; 5- Closed Plan members are more likely to use full removable denture, post, non-surgical periodontics, and diagnostic services.
Description
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Thesis (D.Sc.D.)--Boston University, Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, 1997 (Public Health).
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 35-38).
Thesis (D.Sc.D.)--Boston University, Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, 1997 (Public Health).
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 35-38).
License
This work is protected by copyright. Downloading is restricted to the BU community. If you are the author of this work and would like to make it publicly available, please contact open-help@bu.edu.