Influence of the method of funding on the age of failed restorations in general dental practice in the UK.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the effect of the method of funding treatment on the age of restorations at the time of replacement.


METHODS
A group of general dental practitioners were recruited to take part in the study. Each participant was asked to record the reason for placement and replacement of restorations. The age and class of the restoration being replaced was also recorded, together with details of the material being used and the material being replaced. Details of the method of payment of the failed restoration were recorded.


RESULTS
Details of the reason for placement/replacement were received for 3,196 restorations from 32 GDPs. Of the restorations placed, 54% were amalgam, 32% composite, 8% compomer and 7% glass ionomer. The age of restorations at the time of replacement was significantly associated with the method of payment for the restoration, with restorations placed in the Armed Forces having been in service significantly longer at the time of their replacement than restorations placed under NHS regulations.


CONCLUSIONS
Statistical analysis indicated that restorations placed within the NHS regulations were replaced at a significantly lower age than restorations placed under the other funding arrangements investigated.
University of Birmingham School of Dentistry. f.j.t.burke@bham.ac.uk
F J T
FJ
Burke
N H F
NH
Wilson
S W
SW
Cheung
I A
IA
Mjör
D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003188:Composite Resins; D003723:Dental Amalgam; D003733:Dental Caries Susceptibility; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018588:Fee-for-Service Plans; D005792:General Practice, Dental / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005899:Glass Ionomer Cements; D006801:Humans; D007347:Insurance, Dental; D008885:Military Dentistry / Q000191:economics; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D019233:Retreatment; D013218:State Dentistry / Q000191:economics*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013997:Time Factors
D003188:Composite Resins; D005899:Glass Ionomer Cements; D003723:Dental Amalgam