Cost of dental services provided in private general practice for an insured population in New South Wales, Australia.
OBJECTIVE
To determine cost of dental services provided to a cohort of insured population 18 years and over, who used private general dental practice in New South Wales, Australia.


METHODS
This cohort study used the person-years method and Weibull regression for analysis. Setting Data were derived from claims records submitted for rebates by members of a health insurance fund for services they received in private general dental practice during 1 January 1992-31 December 1995.


METHODS
75,501 members from New South Wales.


METHODS
To determine, by age groups, the cost per item of dental service, cost of services received at a visit and cost of services received per year.


RESULTS
The median cost per item of dental service received for all ages was A$36.7; with cost increasing with age until 55-64 year age group where an apparent plateau occurred. The median cost of services received at a visit for all ages was Australian dollars 93.5. Cost of services received at a visit increased with age, reaching a plateau in the middle aged groups. The median cost of providing services for all age groups per year was Australian dollar 183.6. The cost of services per year when compared with the youngest age group (18-24 years) increased by about 20% for each successive age group up to the 45-54 year age group. From 55 years onwards the cost levelled off at approximately 70% more than the youngest age group.


CONCLUSIONS
The cost of providing dental services increased with age to reach a plateau in the middle age groups.
Sivaneswaran
S
S
Faculty of Dentistry, University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital, NSW, Australia.
Taylor
R
R
Lazarus
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003729:Dental Care / Q000191:economics*; D017050:Episode of Care; D005260:Female; D005792:General Practice, Dental / Q000191:economics; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007345:Insurance Claim Review; D007348:Insurance, Health; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales; D011331:Private Practice / Q000191:economics; D012044:Regression Analysis