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Preventive

270 - Visiting the Dentist More Frequently Than Pediatricians- Integrated Care Implications

Saturday, May 23, 2026
11:15 AM - 11:30 AM PST
Has Audio

    Presenting Author(s)

  • YG

    Yasmeen Gurmendi, DDS

    Dental Resident
    Denver Health Medical Center- Pediatric Dental Residency
    Denver Health Medical Center- Pediatric Dental Residency
    Denver, Colorado, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • JJ

    Jessica Jack, MD

    Assistant Professor
    Denver Health Medical Center
    Denver, Colorado, United States

    • Research Mentor(s)

  • JJ

    Jessica Jack, MD

    Assistant Professor
    Denver Health Medical Center
    Denver, Colorado, United States

    • Program Director(s)

  • Jeffrey Kahl, DDS (he/him/his)

    Director of Pediatric Dentistry
    Denver Health Medical Center- Pediatric Dental Residency
    Denver, Colorado, United States

Abstract:


Purpose: The aim of this study is to determine the trends of primary healthcare and dental care utilization for children.



Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study taking place at Denver Health (DH). Inclusion criteria include children age 6 months to 18 years, with at least one primary care medical visit or one dental exam at DH between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2024. The primary outcome is the number of primary care and dental visits per patient. Sociodemographic characteristics were assessed. Average number of dental visits and well-child visits (WCVs) were compared at each age. Societal factors and number of dental visits and WCVs were assessed using zero-inflated Poisson and Quasipoisson regression models, respectively.



Results: Children attended an average of 1.66 ± 0.93 dental visits and an average of 1.35 ± 1.15 WCVs in a two year period. Age, race/ethnicity, primary language, and insurance type were all influential (P < 0.05) in determining the number of dental visits and number of WCVs. Children of ages 0 to 2 attended more WCVs than dental visits. Patients ages 3-18 attended more dental visits than WCVs (P < 0.01).



Conclusions: At DH, dentists see children ages 3 and older more frequently than pediatricians. There are implications for integrated, patient-centered care. It is standard of care for pediatricians to be involved in dental preventative care for patients 3 and younger, such as applying fluoride varnish. Dentists can help identify older patients who are eligible for vaccinations and preventative medical care.

Identify Supporting Agency and Grant Number: Research supported by Denver Health Medical Center, COMIRB #25-0698.