Social Work Commons^™

Oral Health Access And Service Utilization Of Foster Care Alumni, Ann Carrellas, Angelique G. Day

Angelique G Day

This mixed method study examines factors related to poor access to oral health care of young adults who have transitioned from foster care. Foster youth who left care without support were 4.7 times more likely and young women were 3.4 times more likely to have unmet dental needs. Interviews and focus groups supported the lack of oral health care many of these youth experience upon exiting foster care. Most states’ Medicaid programs do not provide comprehensive dental care for adults past the age of 20 and this is not changed by the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act of …