Economic aspects of mandibular third molar surgery.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to make estimates from a dental care and societal perspective on costs of mandibular third molar surgery.


METHODS
A total of 64 patients were recruited from three Swedish oral and maxillofacial specialist clinics. Calculations were made prospectively on utilization of labor time, specific medical services and materials, and standardized utilization of other direct costs. Indirect costs were identified from patient surveys.


RESULTS
The base case average direct cost of surgery was 217 Euro. Adding the patient's average cost due to absence from work and transportation of 333 Euro increased overall costs to 550 Euro per patient. About 86% of the patients reported some absence following surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
The indirect costs were on average higher than the direct costs, i.e. the patient's loss of time caused higher costs than the intervention per se. Appropriate indications for mandibular third molar removal can minimize the risks of complications and individual or societal costs.
Liedholm
Rolf
R
Oral Surgery and Oral Medicine, Faculty of Odontology, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden. rolf.liedholm@mah.se
Knutsson
Kerstin
K
Norlund
Anders
A
D000041:Absenteeism; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis / Q000191:economics; D003729:Dental Care / Q000191:economics; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000191:economics; D004180:Direct Service Costs; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018803:Models, Economic; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery*; D011215:Practice Management, Dental / Q000191:economics; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013548:Sweden; D013997:Time Factors; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000191:economics*; D014187:Transportation of Patients / Q000191:economics; D055815:Young Adult
D003764:Dental Materials