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What Data Should I Use?

Choosing the right data product depends on your research goals, analysis needs, and the type of insights you're looking for. Use this guide to find the best data source for your work.

By Use Case​

🔬 I want to explore published research​

Recommended: AI Research Explorer

Perfect for finding relevant studies, key findings, and evidence-based insights from CareQuest Institute's publications using natural language queries.

📊 I want to analyze dental claims data​

Recommended: Dental Claims Data

Use this for detailed analysis of:

  • Cost and utilization patterns
  • Quality of care metrics
  • Population-level dental health trends
  • Medicaid and commercial claims insights

🏥 I want to analyze combined medical and dental data​

Recommended: Integrated Medical Claims Processing and Enrollment Analytics

Ideal for:

  • Understanding medical-dental integration
  • Claims processing efficiency
  • Patient interactions across care settings
  • Enrollment and retention trends

🗺️ I want to compare Medicaid coverage across states​

Recommended: Medicaid Dental 360 or Medicaid Coverage Checker

Use Medicaid Dental 360 when:

  • You need comprehensive state-by-state comparisons
  • You want to analyze coverage levels, demographics, and provider density together
  • You're tracking cost and utilization metrics

Use Medicaid Coverage Checker when:

  • You need to understand a specific state's benefit package
  • You're evaluating where benefits fall on the coverage continuum
  • You're a policymaker or advocate working on benefit design

📈 I want to understand social determinants and health equity​

Recommended:

Use Social Determinants & Equity Insights when:

  • You need geographic-level aggregated data
  • You're doing public health planning
  • You want to understand equity disparities at the community level

Use State of Oral Health Equity Survey when:

  • You need nationally representative individual-level data
  • You're studying attitudes, experiences, and behaviors
  • You want detailed demographic analysis

🌐 I want state-level oral health dashboards​

Recommended:

Use State Oral Health Dashboard when:

  • You need comprehensive state health metrics
  • You're tracking insurance coverage trends
  • You're analyzing emergency department visits for dental conditions

Use Veteran Oral Health Dashboard when:

  • You're focusing specifically on veteran populations
  • You need local, state, and national veteran data
  • You're working on veteran-focused advocacy or policy

💡 I prefer asking questions in plain English​

Recommended: AI Data Explorer

Perfect for:

  • Users who prefer natural language over SQL
  • Quick exploratory analysis
  • Generating insights without technical expertise
  • Automated data cleaning and preparation

Available Data Products​

AI Tools​

AI Research Explorer​

  • Type: AI Tool
  • Domain: Research
  • Best for: Searching and exploring published research using natural language
  • Key Features:
    • Plain English queries
    • Key findings extraction
    • Trend analysis across publications
    • Evidence-based insights

AI Data Explorer​

  • Type: AI Tool
  • Domain: Dental, Medical
  • Best for: Interactive data analysis without technical skills
  • Key Features:
    • Natural language queries
    • Automated data cleaning
    • Trend discovery
    • Patient outcome exploration

Dashboards​

Medicaid Dental 360​

  • Type: Dashboard
  • Domain: Social
  • Data Source: Integrated dental claims with social determinants
  • Best for: Comprehensive state-level Medicaid coverage analysis
  • What's included:
    • Adult coverage levels by state
    • Population demographics
    • Provider density
    • Cost and utilization metrics

Medicaid Coverage Checker​

  • Type: Dashboard
  • Domain: Social
  • Data Source: Medicaid Adult Dental Coverage Checker
  • Best for: Understanding benefit package design
  • What's included:
    • Benefit continuum analysis
    • Coverage level assessment
    • State-specific benefit details

State Oral Health Dashboard​

  • Type: Dashboard
  • Domain: Social
  • Data Source: State Oral Health Dashboard
  • Best for: State-level oral health metrics
  • What's included:
    • Insurance coverage rates
    • Access to care metrics
    • Health outcomes by state
    • Emergency department utilization

Veteran Oral Health Data Dashboard​

  • Type: Dashboard
  • Domain: Social
  • Data Source: Aggregated Social Demographic and Equity Indicators
  • Best for: Veteran population oral health analysis
  • What's included:
    • Local, state, and national veteran data
    • Veteran-specific health metrics
    • Advocacy and policy planning data

Datasets​

Dental Claims Data​

  • Type: Dataset
  • Domain: Dental
  • Data Source: Dental Claims Data (Medicaid and commercial)
  • Best for: Detailed dental claims analysis
  • What's included:
    • Cost and utilization data
    • Quality of care metrics
    • Third-party Medicaid claims
    • Commercial claims data

Integrated Medical Claims Processing and Enrollment Analytics​

  • Type: Dataset
  • Domain: Dental, Medical
  • Data Source: Integrated Medical and Dental Claims
  • Best for: Analyzing integrated care and enrollment
  • What's included:
    • Medical and dental claims
    • Patient interactions
    • Enrollment trends
    • Claims processing efficiency
    • Service utilization patterns
    • Member retention rates

Social Determinants & Equity Insights Survey​

  • Type: Dataset
  • Domain: Social
  • Data Source: Aggregated Social Demographic and Equity Indicators
  • Best for: Understanding social drivers of health
  • What's included:
    • Geographic-level aggregated survey data
    • Social determinants of health
    • Equity disparities
    • Access to care metrics

State of Oral Health Equity in America Survey​

  • Type: Dataset
  • Domain: Social
  • Data Source: State of Oral Health Equity in America (SOHEA) Survey
  • Best for: Nationally representative survey analysis
  • What's included:
    • Adults' attitudes toward oral health
    • Experiences and behaviors
    • Nationally representative sample
    • Collected by NORC at University of Chicago

Still Not Sure?​

If you're still unsure which data product to use:

  1. Contact Support - Reach out to the data team via help center
  2. Start with AI Tools - Try AI Research Explorer or AI Data Explorer to explore available data
  3. Browse All Products - Visit the browse page to see all 10 data products
  4. Review Documentation - Check individual data product documentation for detailed information

Data Product Summary Table​

Product NameTypeDomainBest For
AI Research ExplorerAI ToolResearchExploring publications
AI Data ExplorerAI ToolDental, MedicalNatural language analysis
Medicaid Dental 360DashboardSocialState Medicaid comparisons
Medicaid Coverage CheckerDashboardSocialBenefit package analysis
State Oral Health DashboardDashboardSocialState health metrics
Veteran Oral Health DashboardDashboardSocialVeteran population data
Dental Claims DataDatasetDentalDetailed claims analysis
Integrated Medical Claims Processing and Enrollment AnalyticsDatasetDental, MedicalIntegrated care analysis
Social Determinants SurveyDatasetSocialGeographic equity data
SOHEA SurveyDatasetSocialNational survey data