Urban Indian Health Institute

American Indians and Alaska Natives have the highest rate of dental disease of any cohort in the U.S. with 68% of American Indians and Alaska Natives children having untreated dental caries, five times the average for children ages two through four nationwide. The purpose of this project is to determine if there is an increased likelihood of children age 4 years and younger having a preventive dental visit if their mother had a dental visit during pregnancy. This research will characterize the current status of preventive dental care utilization among women during pregnancy and young children who receive health care through an urban American Indians and Alaska Natives health organization over a five year time period. The results of the study will provide the building blocks towards developing interventions to improve preventive dental care utilization for pregnant women and in turn their children.

Contact: Alice Park, phone 206-812-3034