Are specialist outreach clinics for orthodontic consultation effective? A randomised controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To develop outreach clinics for orthodontic consultation and evaluate their costs and effectiveness.


METHODS
Single centre randomised controlled trial with random allocation of referred patients to outreach or main base consultation appointments.


METHODS
One hospital orthodontic department and three community health centre clinics in Greater Manchester. Subjects 324 patients who were referred for orthodontic treatment.


METHODS
The outcome of consultation, the cost and duration of the visit and the consumer's perceptions of the visit.


RESULTS
There were no differences in outcome of the consultation. While consumer travel costs and the duration of appointments were significantly higher for the main base clinics, these differences were not great. However, consumers preferred to attend an appointment in an outreach clinic.


CONCLUSIONS
There do not appear to be marked advantages or disadvantages in providing consultation appointments for orthodontics in outreach clinics
O'Brien
K
K
Department of Dental Medicine and Surgery, The University Dental Hospital of Manchester. Kevin.O'Brien@man.ac.uk
Mattick
R
R
Mandall
N
N
Wright
J
J
Conboy
F
F
Gosden
T
T
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003151:Community Health Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003796:Dental Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017050:Episode of Care; D017048:Health Care Costs; D005102:Health Expenditures; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D009970:Orthodontics / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016896:Treatment Outcome