Impact of Place on Dental Use by Medicaid-Enrolled Adults in Massachusetts

Place-based social vulnerabilities, particularly neighborhood racial composition and infrastructure, are stronger predictors of dental care utilization than are individual characteristics among Medicaid beneficiaries are. These findings reveal how structural inequities embedded in neighborhood environments create barriers to dental care access that persist even with insurance coverage.Knowledge Transfer Statement:This article examines the impact of place-related factors on dental service utilization among adult Medicaid beneficiaries in Massachusetts, focusing on ZIP Code Tabulation Area and county levels. It highlights the need to consider multilevel determinants in addressing disparities in access to dental care. By pinpointing predictors, this study supports interventions and policies to promote oral health equity and provides a foundation for further research to enhance outcomes for underserved groups.