The effect of funding cuts on the utilization of an oral pathology diagnostic service.
OBJECTIVE
To examine what impact the loss of funding had on the utilization of the oral pathology service.


METHODS
Biopsy records were retrieved and examined in the two year period before and after the elimination of the subsidies in 2003.


RESULTS
After the loss of funding, there was a 31% decrease in the number of specimens submitted from practitioners in private practice, with the greatest drop noted in submissions from endodontists.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite the immediate decrease in the number of biopsies submitted after the introduction of fee-for-service, the number of specimens being submitted appears to be on the rise again, as practitioners appear to recognize the value of a specialized oral pathology diagnostic service.
Chugh
Deepika
D
Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
McComb
R John
RJ
Mock
David
D
D001706:Biopsy / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003945:Diagnosis, Oral / Q000191:economics*; D003954:Diagnostic Services / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004708:Endodontics; D018588:Fee-for-Service Plans / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005378:Financial Support; D005792:General Practice, Dental; D006801:Humans; D010337:Pathology Department, Hospital / Q000191:economics; D010339:Pathology, Oral / Q000191:economics*; D010517:Periodontics; D011331:Private Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012575:Schools, Dental / Q000191:economics; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013515:Surgery, Oral