Dental bills in California averaged $813 per patient in 2007, roughly a quarter more than the U.S. average of $643, according to the latest News and Numbers report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
The federal agency's analysis of dental care spending and use in the 10 largest states in 2007 also found the following:
- Nationally, nearly half (49%) of the cost of dental care was paid out of pocket versus 16% for other types of healthcare.
- Compared to the national average for dental expenses paid out of pocket, Florida and Ohio had higher and lower rates -- 69% and 40%, respectively.
- Insurance was a factor. Private insurance paid for only 27.5% of dental bills in Florida but 48.5% in Ohio. Portions not paid by private insurers or out-of-pocket were paid by Medicaid or other sources.
- About 42% of all Americans incurred at least one dental care expenditure. Nationally, this varied from 31% of Texans to 54% of Michigan residents.
The data in this AHRQ News and Numbers summary are taken from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, a detailed source of information on the health services used by Americans, the frequency with which they are used, the cost of those services, and how they are paid.
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