The Capitation Study. 2. Does capitation encourage more prevention?
The results of a 3-year parallel, controlled clinical trial comparing a capitation system of payment for the dental care of children with fee-for-service, showed that capitation offered dentists more clinical freedom. Dentists in capitation used this to provide more preventive care, particularly advice to parents on the control of dental disease in their children. In contrast, few fissure sealants were placed and few topical fluoride applications were made under either system. However, parents in both systems were satisfied with the preventive service their children received and were confident of their ability to control their children's dental disease. The effect of this increased preventive activity was not yet apparent within the period of the study.
Lennon
M A
MA
Department of Clinical Dental Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Liverpool.
Worthington
H V
HV
Coventry
P
P
Mellor
A C
AC
Holloway
P J
PJ
D000293:Adolescent; D002204:Capitation Fee; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000191:economics*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003729:Dental Care / Q000191:economics*; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005249:Fees and Charges; D005250:Fees, Dental; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011897:Random Allocation; D006113:United Kingdom
D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants; D005459:Fluorides