Journal of Biomedical and Engineering Research
ISSN: 3065-8780 | DOI: 10.64030/3065-8780
Ezra O Otieno
Background: Free preventative dental and vision care programs aim to address disparities in health access among underserved populations in California. Many individuals in low-income communities’ face barriers to accessing regular oral and visual health services due to cost, transportation, and lack of insurance.
Methods: This practice-based project employed a mixed-methods design, including surveys, health records, GIS mapping, and interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS for descriptive and inferential statistics, including chi-square tests, paired t-tests, and multinomial logistic regression. Qualitative interviews were coded thematically using NVivo.
Results: A total of 207 participants were included in the study. Most were female (55.6%) and aged between 26–35 years (30%). About 67.2% reported incomes below $40,000, and only 35.3% had health insurance. Utilization rates were 62.8% for dental services and 30.0% for vision services. Statistically significant improvements were observed in dental (pre: M = 3.01, SD = 1.42; post: M = 3.55, SD = 1.34; t = -4.10, p < .001) and vision (pre: M = 2.92, SD = 1.50; post: M = 3.58, SD = 1.21; t = -4.95, p < .001) outcomes. Chi-square tests showed that dental program usage was associated with income (χ²(3) = 24.32, p < .001) and insurance (χ²(1) = 5.58, p = .018). Multinomial regression revealed that non-users were significantly more likely to report “No Improvement” in vision (OR = 24.71, p < .001).
Conclusions: The study supports the effectiveness of mobile preventative care programs in improving health outcomes and addressing access disparities. The findings suggest that scaling these programs can enhance community health equity and reduce reliance on emergency services.