A Cost Analysis of an Outreach School-Based Dental Program: Teeth on Wheels
Background: This study evaluated an outreach mobile dental service called Teeth on Wheels (TOW). The dental program targeted Australian children from low household income, who are eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Scheme (CDBS) in Victoria, Australia. The program is complemented with a school-b...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-02-01
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| Series: | Children |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/8/2/154 |
| _version_ | 1797396158499258368 |
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| author | Tan Minh Nguyen Utsana Tonmukayakul Hanny Calache |
| author_facet | Tan Minh Nguyen Utsana Tonmukayakul Hanny Calache |
| author_sort | Tan Minh Nguyen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: This study evaluated an outreach mobile dental service called Teeth on Wheels (TOW). The dental program targeted Australian children from low household income, who are eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Scheme (CDBS) in Victoria, Australia. The program is complemented with a school-based oral health promotion element. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed with a convenience sample. Children must have had at least three dental examinations during the 2016–2019 calendar years to be included in the study. Comparisons were made between the 2016–17 and 2018–19 calendar years. It was hypothesised that the program would result in reduced costs and the number of restorations and extractions in the latter period. Results: A total of 414 children were included in the analysis. The total mean costs of the program per child reduced from AU$605.3 in 2016–17 to AU$531.1 in 2018–19. The results showed an overall mean reduction in all restorations and extractions performed, but only statistical significance was noted for reductions of restored deciduous teeth. Conclusions: This outreach program, which is focused on prevention and minimally invasive dentistry, can be a promising alternative model of delivery for dental services in young children. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T00:46:18Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0ad11ab61f5742baa48685d2f522a6ef |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2227-9067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T00:46:18Z |
| publishDate | 2021-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Children |
| spelling | doaj.art-0ad11ab61f5742baa48685d2f522a6ef2023-12-11T17:27:57ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672021-02-018215410.3390/children8020154A Cost Analysis of an Outreach School-Based Dental Program: Teeth on WheelsTan Minh Nguyen0Utsana Tonmukayakul1Hanny Calache2Deakin Health Economics, Institute of Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC 3216, AustraliaDeakin Health Economics, Institute of Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC 3216, AustraliaDeakin Health Economics, Institute of Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC 3216, AustraliaBackground: This study evaluated an outreach mobile dental service called Teeth on Wheels (TOW). The dental program targeted Australian children from low household income, who are eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Scheme (CDBS) in Victoria, Australia. The program is complemented with a school-based oral health promotion element. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed with a convenience sample. Children must have had at least three dental examinations during the 2016–2019 calendar years to be included in the study. Comparisons were made between the 2016–17 and 2018–19 calendar years. It was hypothesised that the program would result in reduced costs and the number of restorations and extractions in the latter period. Results: A total of 414 children were included in the analysis. The total mean costs of the program per child reduced from AU$605.3 in 2016–17 to AU$531.1 in 2018–19. The results showed an overall mean reduction in all restorations and extractions performed, but only statistical significance was noted for reductions of restored deciduous teeth. Conclusions: This outreach program, which is focused on prevention and minimally invasive dentistry, can be a promising alternative model of delivery for dental services in young children.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/8/2/154health promotiondental care for childrenschool health servicesoral healthcosts and cost analysis |
| spellingShingle | Tan Minh Nguyen Utsana Tonmukayakul Hanny Calache A Cost Analysis of an Outreach School-Based Dental Program: Teeth on Wheels Children health promotion dental care for children school health services oral health costs and cost analysis |
| title | A Cost Analysis of an Outreach School-Based Dental Program: Teeth on Wheels |
| title_full | A Cost Analysis of an Outreach School-Based Dental Program: Teeth on Wheels |
| title_fullStr | A Cost Analysis of an Outreach School-Based Dental Program: Teeth on Wheels |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Cost Analysis of an Outreach School-Based Dental Program: Teeth on Wheels |
| title_short | A Cost Analysis of an Outreach School-Based Dental Program: Teeth on Wheels |
| title_sort | cost analysis of an outreach school based dental program teeth on wheels |
| topic | health promotion dental care for children school health services oral health costs and cost analysis |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/8/2/154 |
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