Evaluating network adequacy of oral health services for children on Medicaid in Arizona.

Purpose: Inadequate networks can prevent patients from being able to see the providers that they trust and depend upon, especially for children insured through Medicaid. To improve our understanding of poor oral health care outcomes, we conducted a test of network adequacy among Medicaid pediatric dental providers in Arizona through a "secret shopper" phone survey.

Methods: This study tested multiple components of children's access to oral health care, including reliability of provider directory information, appointment availability at the practice level for children covered under Medicaid versus commercial insurance, and compliance with regulatory standards.

Discordance in Perceptions of Barriers to Breast Cancer Treatment Between Hispanic Women and Their Providers.

Despite comparable screening and incidence rates that are 26% below that of non-Hispanic Whites, Hispanic women present with breast cancer at more advanced stages of disease, representing a continuing and troubling health disparity for this population. Reducing these disparities warrant more innovative research approaches to better understand perspectives of Hispanic patients regarding barriers to treatment and how these perspectives compare to those of their providers. A pilot qualitative study was conducted at a major urban cancer center in Arizona that measured both patient and provider perspectives regarding barriers to treatment.