Comparison of treatment result and compliance between private practice Medicaid and non-Medicaid orthodontic patients

Treatment result and compliance for orthodontic Medicaid patients was assessed and compared to non-Medicaid patients of similar initial severity. All 55 practices providing orthodontic treatment covered by Medicaid were asked to submit their last five Medicaid cases and five non-Medicaid cases of similar initial treatment complexity.{09}Nine practices agreed to participate. Initial models, final models, and progress notes were obtained for all subjects. Casts were scored using the peer assessment rating (PAR) index to obtain treatment result data. Progress notes were reviewed for compliance data. No significant differences were seen between the Medicaid and non-Medicaid groups based on initial PAR, final PAR, or the percent of PAR reduction. No significant compliance differences were seen based on broken appointments, broken appliances, or number of poor oral hygiene comments.{09}The Medicaid and non-Medicaid patients in our study did not differ significantly in the effectiveness of treatment received or their compliance with treatment.