Po-Yen Lin1, Kuang-Wen Wang2, Yu-Kang Tu3, Hsin-Ming Chen4, Lin-Yang Chi5, Chun-Pin Lin6. 1. Department of Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Dentistry, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. 2. A+ Inc. Headquarters, Taipei, Taiwan. 3. Department of Dentistry, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. 4. Department of Dentistry, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. 5. Department of Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: chily@ym.edu.tw. 6. Department of Dentistry, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: pinlin@ntu.edu.tw.
Abstract
BACKGROUND/ PURPOSE: The Taiwan National Health Insurance program has allocated a specific fund for dental services to patients with specific disabilities (PSDs); however, the trends and the quality are unknown. In this study, we conducted quantity analyses and quality assessments of dental service use among PSDs using a nationwide population-based database. METHODS: PSDs were identified according to the codes of diagnosis fee. Quantity analyses included the number of patients receiving dental services, the number of visits, and the percentages of categories of dental service use. Quality assessments included refilling rates for operative dental treatments and unfinished rates for endodontic therapies. RESULTS: For quantity analyses, dental services were accessible to 3-4% of patients with disabilities and were mostly provided to younger PSDs. The general population received more operative and endodontic therapies, and PSDs received more periodontal therapies. For quality assessments, the teeth of PSDs had a 9.74-15.07% refilling rate, which was higher than that of the general population (1.39-6.37%). Furthermore, the teeth of PSDs had a 32.03% unfinished endodontic rate, which was higher than that of the general population (21.42%). CONCLUSION: During 2010-2012, only 3-4% of patients with disabilities had access to dental services, mostly provided to younger PSDs. Teeth of PSDs had higher refilling rates and unfinished endodontic sessions than the general population. We suggest that a more comprehensive dental care system is necessary to improve the quantity and quality of dental services, especially in middle-aged and older PSDs.
BACKGROUND/ PURPOSE: The Taiwan National Health Insurance program has allocated a specific fund for dental services to patients with specific disabilities (PSDs); however, the trends and the quality are unknown. In this study, we conducted quantity analyses and quality assessments of dental service use among PSDs using a nationwide population-based database. METHODS: PSDs were identified according to the codes of diagnosis fee. Quantity analyses included the number of patients receiving dental services, the number of visits, and the percentages of categories of dental service use. Quality assessments included refilling rates for operative dental treatments and unfinished rates for endodontic therapies. RESULTS: For quantity analyses, dental services were accessible to 3-4% of patients with disabilities and were mostly provided to younger PSDs. The general population received more operative and endodontic therapies, and PSDs received more periodontal therapies. For quality assessments, the teeth of PSDs had a 9.74-15.07% refilling rate, which was higher than that of the general population (1.39-6.37%). Furthermore, the teeth of PSDs had a 32.03% unfinished endodontic rate, which was higher than that of the general population (21.42%). CONCLUSION: During 2010-2012, only 3-4% of patients with disabilities had access to dental services, mostly provided to younger PSDs. Teeth of PSDs had higher refilling rates and unfinished endodontic sessions than the general population. We suggest that a more comprehensive dental care system is necessary to improve the quantity and quality of dental services, especially in middle-aged and older PSDs.
Authors: Saulo V da Rosa; Samuel J Moysés; Laís C Theis; Renata C Soares; Simone T Moysés; Renata I Werneck; Juliana S Rocha Journal: Int J Dent Date: 2020-07-23