Cost Analysis for Dentures Performed at Dental Clinics in Korea

Chung, Seol Hee; Lee, Hye Jin; Oh, Ju Yeon; Woo, Kyung Suk; Kim, Han Sang

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study is to analyze the cost for the denture treatment in accordance with the government's plan to expand the National Health Insurance coverage for dental prothesis from July 1, 2012.
METHODS
We developed the draft of classification of the treatment activities based on the existing researches and expert's review and finalized the standard procedures through confirming by Korean Dental Association. We also made the list of input at each stage of treatments. We conducted survey of 100 dental clinics via post from April 4 to May 20 in 2011 and 37 clinics took part in the survey. The unit of cost calculation is the process from the first visit for denture treatment to setting of denture and adjustment. The manufacturing process performed by dental technician was not included in the cost analysis.
RESULTS
The process for the complete denture treatment was classified with 10 stages. The partial denture treatment was classified with 8 stages. The treatment time per each denture is about 5.6 hours for complete dentures and about 6.6 hours for partial dentures. The treatment cost were from 591,108 won to 643,913 won for complete denture and from 670,219 won to 738,840 won for partial denture in 2011, depending on the location, type of the clinics and the types of physician's income.
CONCLUSION
This study shows the example of cost analysis for the treatment to set the fee schedule. Measures to get representative and accurate information need to be made.