Navigating Disparities in Dental Health—A Transit-Based Investigation of Access to Dental Care in Virginia

Objective: To identify vulnerable areas and populations with limited access to dental care in Virginia, the study aimed (1) to calculate travel time and accessibility scores to dental care in Virginia using a transit-based accessibility model for all dental clinics and dental clinics participating in the Medicaid dental program and (2) to estimate factors associated with accessibility to dental clinics participating in the Medicaid dental program in Virginia.

Methods: The study used building footprints as origins of transit trips to dental care services (or destinations). The study then computed transit-based origin–destination travel time matrices based on the detailed trip information, including in-vehicle and out-of- vehicle travel time. Accessibility scores were calculated by counting the number of dental clinics that can be reached within 60 min. Regression analysis was used to measure factors associated with accessibility scores to dental clinics participating in Medicaid.

Results: Residents in smaller regions spent longer travel time to dental clinics by public transit compared with those who resided in larger regions. Medicaid participants also faced longer travel time compared with the general population. Residents spent more than three-fourths of the time waiting for public transit and walking to clinics regardless of where they live and what type of insurance they have. Associations between sociodemographic factors and accessibility scores to dental clinics participating in the Medicaid dental program varied across regions.

Conclusions: Disparities in dental care accessibility exist depending on the size of regions and Medicaid participation in Virginia. The disparities in transit-based access to dental clinics and a disproportionate amount of time spent waiting for public transit and walking to dental clinics could be improved through tailored interventions taking into account the sociodemographic and geographic characteristics of each region.