The study was conducted by Jason Huh, PhD, an economics professor at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y, using a universal database of dentists in the U.S. from 2006-13.
Results from the study showed that increased financial incentives created by Medicaid expansions can influence where providers choose to practice, which can expand access into underserved areas.
Dr. Huh also found that expansions in adult Medicaid dental benefits led to a 13 percent increase in the number of dentists per capita in low-income counties. That number was higher in counties where there were greater financial incentives for dentists, like high population density areas. The increase in dentists was also found to be led by those in private practice.
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