Background: An income disparity exists in the field of dentistry. Data published by the American Dental Association Health Policy Institute in 2022 shows that, on average White dentists earn more ($254,860) than Asian ($202,967), Hispanic ($198,565), and Black ($170,097) dentists [1]. Factors such as Black dentists serving populations with higher ratios of Medicaid patients explain a portion of the income disparity. However, unexplained factors, including the role of private commercial dental insurance plans, still need to be analyzed. Despite Black dentists making less yearly income than their counterparts, black dental students graduate with the highest amount of educational debt. In order to attract and retain Black dentists to the workforce, income inequality must be addressed.
Objectives:
- Evaluate the role commercial dental insurance plans play in the wealth disparity between white and minoritized dentists.
- Examine whether or not commercial dental insurance reimbursement rates varied based on counties, zip codes, and provider race.
Methods:
- Obtained financial data sets from a dental insights company that included average “in-network” submitted, allowed, and paid claim amounts from Q1 2022 for 10 CDT dental codes for all NPIs of dental providers licensed in Georgia.
- Obtained data sets of 2021 key dentist characteristics from the American Dental Association Health Policy Institute ( NPI, Race, Age, Year of Grad, Gender, Specialty, Practice Address, Practice Zip, Practice County).
- Merged the two data sets with 2021 census-related data.
- Completed two statistical analyses to evaluate commercial dental insurance reimbursement patterns based on county and zip codes.
Results: This study found that Black dentists submit lower fees to commercial insurance companies, receive lower contract rates from commercial insurance companies, and are paid lower amounts for procedures.
Future Directions:
- Advocate for standardized and equitable regulation of commercial dental insurance reimbursement payments.
- Explore “patient filtering” by race and insurance attractiveness in group practice settings and the implications that may have on racial income disparity in dentistry.
Preceptor: Marko Vujicic, Ph.D. Chief Economist & Vice President Health Policy Institute American Dental Association
Citations: [1]- Nasseh, K, Frogner, BK, Vujicic, M. A closer look at disparities in earnings between white and minoritized dentists. Health Serv Res. 2022; 1- 28. doi:10.1111/1475-6773.14095
