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Objectives: The Finnish dental care market operates as a dual system, divided between a regulated, affordable public sector and a less regulated, more expensive private sector that receives public subsidies. In 2015 and 2016, two policy interventions were introduced to reduce these subsidies for private dental services. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of these policy changes on the dental care market. Methods: This study was a realist evaluation. Context‐Intervention‐Mechanism‐Outcome‐configurations were applied to elicit an initial program theory (IPT) for the policy interventions. The IPT allowed a complicated system to be reduced to the main components, allowing for better understanding of the underlying mechanisms and the chain of events started by the interventions. The resulting hypotheses about the chain of events and outcomes were tested against a dataset collected from the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (SII) registries on public and private dental visits in the cities of Espoo, Helsinki and Oulu during the years 2010–2016. The used dataset consisted of N = 17 111 625 dental procedures or N = 8 139 990 individual visits (which can include several procedures) at a public (n = 9 097 407 procedures, n = 4 083 475 visits) or a private (n = 8 014 218 procedures or n = 4 056 515 visits) dental clinic. The system was studied during three time periods related to the two interventions in 2015 and in 2016. Changes were evaluated by statistically analysing changes in several key metrics: mean subsidy, mean out‐of‐pocket price, mean (non‐subsidized) price, number of patients treated, number of professionals, procedures per professional, Case‐Mix adjusted procedures per professional, patient‐to‐professional ratio, total procedures. Results: The 2015 and 2016 reductions to the subsidization of private dental care reduced the average subsidies paid to the private dental sector by 49% [−49.1, −38.8]. A 26% [25.2, 26.7] increase in the out‐of‐pocket price paid in the private sector was observed. Over the 2 years, 12.2% of patients left the private sector and an increase of 13% was observed in the number of patients treated in the public sector. The public sector increased its number of dental care professionals by 2.3% and the patient‐to‐professional ratio increased by 9.9% over the 2 years, while the private sector lost 4.6% of its dental care professionals and increased its prices by 4.0% [3.5, 4.5]. Conclusions: The policy changes had tangible effects on both the private and public sectors of the Finnish dental care market. By reducing subsidies, the private sector became more expensive for patients, causing many to transition to the public sector for their dental needs. While the public sector increased its capacity to accommodate the rise in patients, the demand still outpaced the growth in professionals, hinting at capacity or resource constraints in the public sector. The results also show initial evidence that contrary to the objectives, the policy changes increased the cost to the public sector as subsidized patient cared for in the private sector costs less to the government than treating that same patient in the public sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To analyze the accumulated fees connected with root filling, permanent coronal restoration and follow‐on treatment charged by Swedish dentists over a 10–11‐year follow‐up period. Furthermore, analyzing these fees with reference to the type of restoration, tooth group, and the root‐filled teeth which survived compared to those requiring extraction. Material and Methods: In 2009, the data register of the Swedish Social Insurance Agency recorded a total of 215,611 teeth as root‐filled. The accumulated fees for each tooth encompassed the following interventions: initial root filling, coronal restorations, and follow‐up treatments during the designated period. The outcomes were analyzed using descriptive and analytic statistics, including t tests and one‐way analysis of variance. The fees are presented in Euros (€1 = SEK 8.94). Results: The total accumulated fees for root fillings amounted to 72 million Euros: the mean fee per root filled tooth was €333.6. The total mean fee over a 10–11‐year period, comprising root canal treatment, coronal restorations, and any follow‐up treatments, was €923.4. Root‐filled teeth with indirect restorations presented a higher mean fee (€1 279.3) compared to those with direct restorations (€829.4) or those without specified restorations (€832.7; p <.001). Moreover, molars presented a significantly higher mean fee (€966.4) compared to premolars (€882.8) and anterior teeth (€891.3; p <.001). Lastly, the mean fee for extracted teeth was €1225.3, which was higher compared to those who survived the follow‐up period (€848.0; p <.001). Conclusions: Fees charged by general dental practitioners for root‐filled teeth accumulate over time, probably due to the need for further treatment of the tooth. The total mean fee was significantly higher for molars and root‐filled teeth with indirect restorations. However, an analysis of the total costs would require prospective clinical cost‐effectiveness studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objectives To analyze the accumulated fees connected with root filling, permanent coronal restoration and follow‐on treatment charged by Swedish dentists over a 10–11‐year follow‐up period. Furthermore, analyzing these fees with reference to the type of restoration, tooth group, and the root‐filled teeth which survived compared to those requiring extraction. Material and Methods In 2009, the data register of the Swedish Social Insurance Agency recorded a total of 215,611 teeth as root‐filled. The accumulated fees for each tooth encompassed the following interventions: initial root filling, coronal restorations, and follow‐up treatments during the designated period. The outcomes were analyzed using descriptive and analytic statistics, including t tests and one‐way analysis of variance. The fees are presented in Euros (€1 = SEK 8.94). Results The total accumulated fees for root fillings amounted to 72 million Euros: the mean fee per root filled tooth was €333.6. The total mean fee over a 10–11‐year period, comprising root canal treatment, coronal restorations, and any follow‐up treatments, was €923.4. Root‐filled teeth with indirect restorations presented a higher mean fee (€1 279.3) compared to those with direct restorations (€829.4) or those without specified restorations (€832.7; p

Objective: In Norway, supply of dental services exceeds demand, mainly because of the marked improvement in dental health during the last few decades. The aim of the study was to investigate whether private dental practitioners counteract a fall in demand for their services by providing more services or by raising their fees. Methods: The data were collected using a questionnaire that was sent to all private dental practitioners in Norway. Altogether 1237 practitioners responded, which gave a response rate of 56%. Our sample was representative of the population of practitioners in Norway. As a measure of patient supply, responses from the following questions were used: 'Based on an overall assessment of economy, workload and other personal factors, is the number of regular patients adequate? If not, do you wish to have more patients, or fewer patients?' The outcome variables were dental fees, length of recall interval and mean cost per visit. The data were analysed using ordinary least square regression and a linear probability model. The following characteristics of the private dental practitioners were included as control variables: age, gender, work experience in years and whether they worked in a solo practice. To test the robustness of the findings, a supplementary analysis with the patient as the unit of analysis was carried out, using survey data of Norwegians aged 20 years and older. Based on this survey, the relationship between population: dentist ratio and mean cost per dental visit were examined. Results: Nearly 40% of all practitioners reported that they had too few patients. They compensated for their loss of income by raising their fees, by recalling their patients more often and by increasing the cost per visit. The finding in the supplementary analysis using survey data from patients was similar to the findings in the main analyses using survey data from private dental practitioners. Conclusion: The findings show that practitioners have market power. They were able to counteract a fall in demand for their services by providing more services and by raising their fees. The dental profession should be encouraged to provide appropriate services, in the present situation where supply exceeds demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: French dentists charge additional fees for dental prostheses. This paper aims to provide new information on the determinants of dental price setting and inform public decision-making in the context of the widespread rejection of prosthetic dental care for financial reasons. We focus on the competitive mechanism in the dental prosthetics market and measure the impact of the density of professionals and competitors' prices on the fees charged by dentists., Methods: We use data merging from an administrative health insurance database and information from tax declarations of French dentists. We test the effect of competitor prices and competition on individual price-setting using instrumental variables. The database obtained included 29,220 dentists., Results: Practitioners' prices grow with competitors' prices (+1€ in competitor prices entails an increase of + 0.37€ in the practitioner's price). Women set lower prices, and having a young child in the household predicts an increase in price of 6.8€ (p-value=0.014). Rural areas present lower fees than urban areas (+11.4€ (p value=0.000))., Conclusion: Prosthetic prices are strategic complements that are compatible with the application of monopolistic competition in the dental care market. We encourage the regulator to develop competitive mechanisms, for example, through a public offer at moderate prices., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest There is no conflict of interest from authors or related to this work., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective. To determine the cost of production and propose a rate for the treatment of orthodontic malocclusion class I without extractions, in a private dental office. Material and methods. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out, having as sample population seven orthodontic treatments obtained in the private practice during 2017 and 2018, patients who voluntarily accepted to participate in the research. Results. The direct cost for the treatment of orthodontic malocclusion class I was S/845,975 ($ 260.3); the indirect cost per treatment was S/1,082,137 ($ 332.96); the average attention time for the same was 28,857 hours; the cost of production was determined in S/1,928,118 ($ 593.26) and the tariff proposal for the service is established in S/4,382.08 ($ 1,348.33). Conclusion. The proposed rate for the performance of a class I orthodontic treatment in a private dental office is S/4,382.08 ($ 1,348.33). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A case report describing a technique for the restoration of endodontically treated primary maxillary incisors with resin composite short posts and celluloid strip crowns in a 3-year-old boy is presented. The technique offers the advantages of using one restorative material, improving esthetics, and reducing chair-time and costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the ability of dentists to pursue excellence and still charge an economic price for it. It says that the impact of a shift in economic environment has a profound effect on the dental profession. It cites the case of Great Britain where the collapse of many nationalized and private industries has affected the workforce. It is observed that in Great Britain, the dental professional has become a low-fee, high-production service, destroying the standards of practice. It states that the future treatment of early dental caries lies in microsurgery. It says that restorative dentistry will rise in demand, especially for older people. It is feared that the profession is confused in the midst of commercial pressures and its pursuit of excellence and has lost its way.

The article suggests several ways to increase production in a dental practice during any economic condition. These include reactivating overdue dental patients or scheduling those who do not have their next dentist appointment, holding a 10-minute morning meeting that has a specific agenda, and conducting follow-up with patients who have incomplete treatment. Also suggested are conducting procedural time studies and raising fees periodically or annually.

The article focuses on a court case on compensation given for unusable medical services. Topics discussed include claims for damages faced by applicants, dental fees paid by applicant, supply of implants, continuous health problem faced by applicant, supply of dental prosthetics and oral hearing of the treatment.

Copyright of Journal of Craniomandibular Function is the property of Quintessence Publishing Company Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aim To investigate the fees charged by Swedish dentists for root fillings, coronal restorations and further dental interventions during a follow-up period of 5-6 years. Methodology A total of 248 299 root fillings were linked with the tooth, the patient and the provider and entered into the Swedish Social Insurance Agency register in 2009. The data register also recorded the subsidy-based (scheduled) fee and the fee actually charged for the root fillings. Fees charged for direct or indirect coronal restorations and additional interventions during the follow-up period were also recorded. One-way anova and t-test were used for statistical analysis. Results The mean overall fee charged for a root filling was approximately 332 Euro and differed only marginally (13 Euro) from the scheduled fee. The total mean fee for preservation of a root filled tooth was 717 Euro, which included the root canal treatment, the coronal restoration and any additional interventions during the follow-up period. The fees for indirectly restored root filled teeth were significantly higher (1105 Euro) than for directly restored teeth (610 Euro), despite further additional treatment ( P < 0.001). The mean fee for teeth which were subsequently extracted was higher (769 Euro) than for the retained teeth (711 Euro) ( P < 0.001). Conclusions Fees charged by Swedish dentists for root canal treatment were in accordance with the scheduled fees. The overall mean fee was significantly higher for root filled teeth with indirect restorations than for teeth with direct coronal restorations. However, prospective clinical cost-effectiveness studies are needed to analyse the total costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Craniomandibular Function is the property of Quintessence Publishing Company Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Craniomandibular Function is the property of Quintessence Publishing Company Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The continuing dramatic increases in the U.S. Hispanic population are considered relative to the economic concerns of dental practice. Oral health needs, limited finances and health insurance, together with varying cultural orientation, are reviewed in terms of the potential for growing Hispanic political strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The King's Fund published a report called Efficiency in the NHS: A Study of Cost Improvement Programmes in 1989. It was based on cost improvement programmes (CIP) of three district health authorities and questions were raised about how CIPs could be used, valued and audited within the NHS. This led to a new internal market within the NHS, where prices were negotiated and the successful organisations were likely to be the ones keeping the costs down.2 The NHS spending in England has exceeded more than double that of 2010/2011.2 The NHS spending as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) has also risen from 5.2 to 8%.2 It was predicted that increasing population needs and the current model of care 2 would contribute to a funding gap of 30bn between 2013-2021. To tackle this predicted productivity challenge and financial gap, CIPs and income-generating CIPs were launched.2 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the factors influencing the turnover intention of dentists in hospitals in Taiwan. Materials and methods: Nationwide, 175 structured questionnaires were returned from dentists who were working for a hospital of the Bureau of the National Health Insurance, Taipei division, representing a 37% response rate, Results: The main findings were: (1) the turnover intention of residents was higher than that of visiting staff; (2) the gap between expected income and actual income has an impact on satisfaction with compensation; the larger the gap, the less satisfied the dentists were with their compensation; (3) satisfaction with compensation and job stress have an impact on job satisfaction and the organizational commitment of dentists; and (4) although satisfaction with compensation, job stress, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment were related to the turnover intention of dentists, the most significant predictive factor was the opportunity of working in a clinic. Organizational commitment was associated with the turnover intention of residents, while job satisfaction was related to the turnover intention of visiting staff. Conclusion: The findings of this study should provide some insights for hospital managers regarding human resources management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Access to oral health care is an issue that has received attention at the local, state, regional, and national levels. This study focuses on how dentists in private practice settings attempt to address problems regarding access to care through personal initiatives. These dentists donate or discount services in their own offices to individuals who face access barriers. These donated or discounted services may go unreported and unnoticed. The research question addressed in this study is: What was the amount and type of free and reduced-fee care that dentists in the community of Brookline, Massachusetts, provided during the 2008 calendar year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recent report, produced for the Department of Health and Children, suggested that inappropriate payments in the Dental Treatment Services Scheme may be above 10%. Aims To review past publications on the topic of inappropriate payments in the DTSS and compare their conclusions and methodologies to that of the recent report. Methods A literature search (including grey literature) was carried out. Results Two studies and three reports were identified as fulfilling the search criteria. The conclusions and methodologies were assessed and compared to the recent report. Conclusions There are a number of contrasts between the recent report and previous research. These include: (a) unlike previous research, the recent report does not describe the methodology used to arrive at its estimate; and, (b) the estimate made by the recent report is larger, by a factor of more than two, compared to the sole other estimate made in the previous literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the link between state Medicaid dental fees in the years 2000 and 2008 and children's receipt of dental care in the U.S. Results reveal that higher Medicaid payment levels to dentists were related to higher rates of receipt of dental care among children and adolescents. Medical dental payment levels remained the same in inflation-adjusted terms between 2000 and 2008. However, for some states, including in five states as well as the District of Columbia, payments escalated at least 50%.

Dentistry in the United Kingdom demands a wide range of supportive and regulative bodies, the roles of which are intertwined, overlapping and changeable. The interaction between these bodies is not always clear, and often the present-day role of the body is far removed from its original purpose. Consequently, the system can appear daunting and opaque. Even so, a thorough understanding of this topic is requisite for those considering applying for higher specialist training, and pertinent for practitioners with an interest in the dental political arena. We hope this paper goes some way towards unravelling the tangle of boards, committees, associations, societies and councils that commonly influence dentistry, and provides a starting point for those interested in increasing their knowledge of the profession at the strategic level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the 2009 "Journal of Clinical Orthodontics" Orthodontic Practice Study in the U.S. It discusses practice success in terms of factors that seem to be associated with increased net income and case starts. It presents several charts including mean case starts by use of management methods, use of management methods by net income level, and practice-building methods by net income level.

Background: Practice beliefs and dentist preferences for patients have been related to service rates and appropriateness of care. If practice beliefs and preferences for patients are stable then they could restrain long-term changes in practice styles and service rates. The aim of this paper was to assess the stability of practice beliefs and preferences for patients between 1997 and 2007. Methods: Practice beliefs and dentist preferences for patients were recorded on a five-point Likert scale using mailed questionnaires from a random sample of dentists in 1997 (response rate = 60 per cent) and 2007 (response rate = 77 per cent). Results: In both 1997 and 2007, n = 215 dentists provided data. For practice beliefs, 1 out of 8 items were significantly different (p < 0.05; McNemar’s test) between the two observations (12.5 per cent of practice belief items) while 5 out of 37 dentist preferences for patient characteristics items were significantly different (13.5 per cent of items). Conclusions: The majority of items were not significantly different over time. This demonstrates a generally high degree of stability over time in the level of agreement with dentist practice beliefs and preferences for patients. Given that it may be difficult for clinicians to change practice beliefs and behaviours that have become established, it is important for policy makers to understand the relationship between provider characteristics and service patterns and for educators to positively shape beliefs and behaviours through undergraduate and continuing education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shifts in payment options for dental care over several decades have resulted in more dental expenditures being paid through health maintenance organizations (HMOs), preferred provider organizations (PPOs), and capitation arrangements. Patients’ and employers’ choices to participate in these arrangements is determined in part by dentists’ willingness to participate in plans, and plan choices may be influenced by patient satisfaction, self-reported oral health, and/or quality or cost of care. Objectives: This study examined determinants of dentists’ decisions to accept capitation payment for services. Research Design: Cross-sectional mail survey in December 2006. Subjects: 1605 general dentists in Oregon. Measures: Questions addressed dentists’ perceptions of the importance of control over various practice parameters, willingness to accept capitation payment, employment or ownership status within the practice, and practice characteristics. Results: Capitation was accepted by 22.6% of the respondent dentists ( n = 729). Reported average fees (2007 dollars) ranged from $60 (initial oral examination) to approximately $800 (porcelain crowns). The likelihood of accepting capitation payment was related to the number of dentists in the practice, but surprisingly owner-dentists were no less likely than employee-dentists (associates) to accept capitation. As expected, dentists’ usual and customary fees were negatively associated with accepting capitation. In contrast, measures of dentists’ importance of control were not related to decisions about capitation. Longer average appointment delays were related to acceptance of capitation, but the effects were small. Conclusions: Dentists’ behavior regarding payment acceptance is generally consistent with microeconomic theory of provider behavior. Study findings should inform practitioners, plan managers, and researchers in examining dentist payment decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dentists, in the exercise of his private and clinical activities, receive of his clients in change of the installment of dentistry service, professional fees. The purpose of the present was verify with the surgeons dentists of the Araçatuba city, if to fix of his fees is established agreement with the predicted criteria in the Code of Dentistry Ethics, as well as the form of payment and the occurrence or not of insolvency. It collects of facts was carried out by questionnaires with questions closed to 86 surgeons dentists who were choose randomly of a list given up by the Regional Advice of the Araçatuba city in the São Paulo State. The results obtained showed that 58.7% of him interviewed carry out to fix of the second fees the Code of Dentistry Ethics, 45.3% second table of prices, and 2% second fix costs and variables. Regarding insolvency in the payment of the service lent, 54.4% of the gross one of interviewed already presented some problem. Therefore the professional should be aware and correctly tried the existence of a debt and they will be supported judicially for protest. Should exist an association of the dentistry class, next to the competent organs for that have more fiscally as regards collection of fees and installment of service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers advice for dental practices considering the purchase of laser equipment. Several benefits of dental lasers are explored, including bacterial reduction which minimizes use of anesthesia, faster healing times, and bleeding control. Other topics include expansion of laser dentistry procedures offered by a practice, fees for laser treatments, and marketing of laser technology to patients. A chart is included of laser wavelength types and their approved dental applications.

The fissure-sealing of newly erupted molars is an effective caries prevention treatment, but remains underutilized. Two plausible reasons are the financial disincentive produced by the dental remuneration system, and dentists' lack of awareness of evidence-based practice. The primary hypothesis was that implementation strategies based on remuneration or training in evidence-based healthcare would produce a higher proportion of children receiving sealed second permanent molars than standard care. The four study arms were: fee per sealant treatment, education in evidence-based practice, fee plus education, and control. A cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted. Analysis was based on 133 dentists and 2833 children. After adjustment for baseline differences, the primary outcome was 9.8% higher when a fee was offered. The education intervention had no statistically significant effect. 'Fee only' was the most cost-effective intervention. The study contributes to the incentives in health care provision debate, and led to the introduction of a direct fee for this treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author reflects on the concerns she faced as dean of the College of Dentistry at the University of Florida in relation to the findings of the study "New Models of Dental Education." She says that patient care revenue has become the largest source of income for the university, followed by sponsored grants and tuition fees. She raises her concern on the continuing discordance on how faculty define themselves as dentists. She cites the responsibility of dentists to implement action plans for sustainable changes in their institutions.

Background: In Finland, dental services are provided by a public (PDS) and a private sector. In the past, children, young adults and special needs groups were entitled to care and treatment from the public dental services (PDS). A major reform in 2001 - 2002 opened the PDS and extended subsidies for private dental services to all adults. It aimed to increase equity by improving adults' access to oral health care and reducing cost barriers. The aim of this study was to assess the impacts of the reform on the utilization of publicly funded and private dental services, numbers and distribution of personnel and costs in 2000 and in 2004, before and after the oral health care reform. An evaluation was made of how the health political goals of the reform: integrating oral health care into general health care, improving adults' access to care and lowering cost barriers had been fulfilled during the study period. Methods: National registers were used as data sources for the study. Use of dental services, personnel resources and costs in 2000 (before the reform) and in 2004 (after the reform) were compared. Results: In 2000, when access to publicly subsidised dental services was restricted to those born in 1956 or later, every third adult used the PDS or subsidised private services. By 2004, when subsidies had been extended to the whole adult population, this increased to almost every second adult. The PDS reported having seen 118 076 more adult patients in 2004 than in 2000. The private sector had the same number of patients but 542 656 of them had not previously been entitled to partial reimbursement of fees. The use of both public and subsidised private services increased most in big cities and urban municipalities where access to the PDS had been poor and the number of private practitioners was high. The PDS employed more dentists (6.5%) and the number of private practitioners fell by 6.9%. The total dental care expenditure (PDS plus private) increased by 21% during the study period. Private patients who had previously not been entitled to reimbursements seemed to gain most from the reform. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that implementation of a substantial reform, that changes the traditionally defined tasks of the public and private sectors in an established oral health care provision system, proceeds slowly, is expensive and probably requires more stringent steering than was the case in Finland 2001 - 2004. However, the equity and fairness of the oral health care provision system improved and access to services and cost-sharing improved slightly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The National Health Service (NHS) was created in 1948 to provide both medical and dental healthcare for the UK resident population based on need, not the ability to pay. Between 1948 and 2006 NHS dentistry improvement in oral health of the has made a huge contribution to the population of the UK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a survey conducted by the Journal of Clinical Orthodontics (JCO) Practice Study regarding the success of the practice measured by net income in the U.S. Respondents are divided into three net income categories including high, moderate and low. Result shows that the newest and oldest practices were less productive than those who had been in practice for 6-25 years. Several tables are also presented which depict the net income level by geographic region and routine delegation.

The American Dental Education Association's 1998-1999 Survey of Clinic Fees and Revenue obtained data by which to report, by school, clinic revenue information per undergraduate student. Fifty of the fifty-five U.S. dental schools responded to the survey. The median revenue per third-year student was $6,313. It was $11,680 for fourth-year students. Clinic revenue data was also obtained by type of postdoctoral program. The postdoctoral general dentistry programs had the highest per student clinic revenues, at over $59,000 per AEGD student and almost $35,000 per student of GPR programs. Other areas of the survey provided information regarding clinic fees by type of program, levels of uncompensated care by type of program, clinic revenue by source of payment, and dental school fees as a percent of usual and customary private practice fees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the role of variations in occupational licensing policies in improving the quality of services provided to consumers and the effect of restrictive regulations on the prices of certain services and on the earnings of practitioners. Theory suggests that more restrictive licensing may raise prices and at the same time raise demand by reducing uncertainty about the quality of the services. This article uses unique data on the dental health of incoming Air Force personnel to analyze empirically the effects of varying licensing stringency among the states. It finds that tougher licensing does not improve outcomes, but it does raise prices for consumers and the earnings of practitioners. These results cast doubt on the principal public interest argument in favor of more stringent state licensing practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the effects of fee bundling on dental insurance utilization in the United States. Guidelines for improvement of fee-for-service mechanisms; Definition of the recall data set; Dentists behavior under fee bundling; Impact of bundling on unit visit and user payments.

The article offers information on the shifting of dental professional to Personal Dental Services (PDS) of the Bedfordshire, England from General Dental Services (GDS). It states how the dental rates had been low under the Dental Rates Study Group (DRSG) and GDS. By joining PDS, the dentists will be direct under local health authority. The PDS also came up with a pilot project which was purely voluntary.