title: The economics of dental care in Sri Lanka. A profile of unqualified practitioners.
abstract: A study was carried out to determine the number and distribution of unqualified dental practitioners (UQP's), and to compare some aspects of their practice profile with those of general dental practitioners (GDP's) in the island. The results showed that there were probably as many UQP's as general dental practitioners and that 91 per cent of them provided dentures. The proportions performing extractions, fillings and scalings were 44, 58 and 38 per cent respectively. For most procedures their charges were roughly 30 per cent lower than those of general dental practitioners, although in the case of dentures they tended to charge nearly as much and sometimes more. A way of rationalizing the role of UQP's as de facto providers of dental care is suggested in the light of new information about this manpower type that is generally regarded as unlawful and therefore ignored.
authors.forename: A N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Ekanayaka
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Samarasinghe
mesh_terms: D003729:Dental Care / Q000191:economics*; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent; D003815:Dentists; D003778:Dentures; D005250:Fees, Dental; D005792:General Practice, Dental; D006801:Humans; D013188:Sri Lanka; D014081:Tooth Extraction