286 - Evaluating Trends Of Procedures Performed By Pediatric And General Dentists

Abstract: The primary objective of this study is to evaluate whether there have been significant changes in the proportional treatment share between pediatric and general dentists in the treatment of children aged eleven and under. This project will examine data from 2018-2024 and assess treatment trends to more thoroughly understand the implications for pediatric care.

Data from this study will be obtained by the committee from the Fluent Dental data warehouse. This data warehouse has access to insurance claims made by pediatric and general dentists throughout the United States. The inclusive dates of data retrieved will be January 1, 2018, though December 31, 2024. Data will be summarized to the level of the patient-visit date and patient-visit date-claim type. Claim types will be separated into four categories: Diagnostic and Preventive, Restorations and Extractions, Management of the Developing Occlusion, and Pulpal Therapy. The proportion of procedures within each year that were performed by a pediatric dentist will be summarized, plotted and compared to those performed by general dentists. Logistic regression will be used to compare procedures by years, by procedure type, and to determine whether some procedures had larger changes over time than others. A two-sided 5% significance level will be used for all tests.

Final Data Pending

Identify Supporting Agency and Grant Number: This research is supported by The Indiana University Review Board.