The purpose of the Oral Health Quality Improvement Project (QIP) is to increase the rate of annual dental visits among AHCCCS members younger than 21, in order to make more progress toward AHCCCS and national “Healthy People 2010” goals. Using the following methodology, AHCCCS will establish a baseline measure of annual dental visits overall and by Contractor from which to measure improvement. This quality improvement project will focus on developing or improving interventions to help address factors that contribute to low utilization of dental services. In addition, this project addresses the AHCCCS requirement that acute and long-term care Contractors conduct Quality Improvement Projects. The baseline measurement period will be October 1, 2001, through September 30, 2002

The purpose of the Children’s Oral Health Performance Improvement Project (PIP) is to increase the rate of annual dental visits among AHCCCS members 3 through 20 years old, in order to make more progress toward AHCCCS and Healthy People 2010 goals. This project specifically focuses on children who are 3 through 8 years old, as this appears to be a critical time in a child’s life to ensure that he or she receives regular dental care. Contractors participating in this PIP include acute-care health plans, CMDP, DDD and health plans that serve elderly and physically disabled members through the Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS).

Data for the project were collected from AHCCCS administrative data (i.e., records of claims paid by Contractors, known as encounters). The remeasurement period was the contract year from October 1, 2003, through September 30, 2004.