Introduction: Insurance coverage plays a special role in shaping individuals’ dental care utilization patterns. The study aims to assess the impact of various types of dental coverage on access to timely dental care. Materials and methods: This study utilized the 2022 National Health Interview Survey among US adults. Logistic regression models were used with 95% confidence intervals to estimate the impact of insurance type on dental care utilization. Results and discussion: Adults with separate private dental plans reported the highest annual utilization rate at 76.9% (95%CI=75.8, 77.9) and the lowest prevalence of cost-related delays in accessing care at 10.2% (95%CI=9.5, 10.9). Uninsured showed the lowest annual utilization at 34.8% (95%CI=32.3, 37.2) and the highest prevalence of cost-related delays in accessing care at 35.7% (95%CI=33.1, 38.4). Conclusion: The type of dental insurance significantly influences timely access to dental care. Policy interventions are needed to expand access to affordable dental insurance and promote equitable oral health outcomes.
Keywords:- access to care
- dental insurance
- NHIS