title: Patient appointments during interim obturation: is it cost-effective?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to quantify the number of patient appointments needed during the interim obturator service period in the Department of Dental Oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, TX).
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study evaluating 100 patient records of patients who underwent maxillectomies between 1989 and 1993.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 100 patients analyzed, 42 patients had a definitive prosthesis fabricated within 90 days after surgery. On average, 12 appointments (range, 6-24 appointments) were recorded for each patient during this 90-day global interim obturator period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 12 appointments reflect a considerable amount of clinical and laboratory effort and reinforces the national concern of proper reimbursement.
authors.affiliation: Section of Oncologic Dentistry and Prosthodontics, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030, USA.
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Chambers
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000601:surgery*; D008441:Maxillary Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D010158:Palatal Obturators / Q000191:economics*; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors