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Purpose: The purpose of this study was to perform a cost-benefit analysis of the age one dental visit for privately insured patients., Methods: A major insurance company provided claims from various states submitted between 2006-2012. Data provided included numbers of procedures and respective costs from the first visit until age six years. Data was organized into five groups based on age, for which the first D0145/D0150 code was submitted [(1) age younger than one year old; (2) age one or older but younger than two years old; (3) age two or older but younger than three years old; (4) age three or older but younger than four years old; and (5) age four or older but younger than five years old]. The ratio of procedures per child and average costs per child were calculated., Results: Claims for 94,574 children were analyzed; only one percent of these children had their first dental visit by age one. The annual cost for children who had their first dental visit by age one was significantly less than for children who waited until an older age., Conclusion: There is an annual cost benefit in establishing a dental home by age one for privately insured patients.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine pediatric dentists' current practices and the perceptions about parents' opinions and how those parental preferences regarding dental materials influence dentists' practices., Methods: A questionnaire was sent to 500 randomly selected active members of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Twenty-five items queried demographics, use of restorative materials, perceptions of parents' attitudes towards materials, and dentists' reactions to parents' concerns., Results: The survey response rate was 61%. Parental concerns about materials in decreasing order were: (1) esthetics; (2) cost; (3) toxicity; and (4) durability. Parents' greatest concerns about stainless steel crowns were: (1) esthetics; and (2) cost. Among respondents, 43% followed parental preferences when challenged, and 28% currently never use amalgam. Amalgam use and the dentists' perception of parental challenge were each related to the socioeconomic status of the practice population, with lower socioeconomic practices feeling less parental challenge than higher socioeconomic practices and being more likely to use amalgam than "white" filling materials (P = .001)., Conclusions: Mercury concerns occur more frequently with higher than lower socioeconomic status parents (P = .002). Stainless steel crowns are challenged based on esthetics and cost. When confronted, many pediatric dentists (43%) follow parental preferences, even when that action is contrary to their initial clinical judgment.