Decision processes in the management of dental disease. Part 1: QALYs, QATYs and dental health state utilities.
A necessary step in attempting to frame a rational decision about managing dental disease is to evaluate the clinical outcomes. This article discusses how the patient's view of the worth or value of a dental health state can be quantified, how this can contribute to the development of the Quality Adjusted Tooth Year (QATY) as a dental variation of the Quality Adjusted Life Year (QALY) known in medicine, and how the dental practitioner can use this technique to decide which treatment is best for a particular patient.
Fyffe
H E
HE
Dental Health Services Research Unit, Dundee Dental Hospital and School, UK.
Nuttall
N M
NM
D004245:DMF Index; D003657:Decision Making; D003729:Dental Care / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010358:Patient Participation; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years; D012945:Social Values; D013997:Time Factors