How to measure the cost-effectiveness of periodontal treatments.
There is a need to measure efficiency of periodontal treatments. Efficiency questions can be addressed through a variety of economic evaluation techniques: cost minimization, cost-effectiveness, cost utility and cost-benefit analysis. Each of these techniques is outlined in this article, including a detailed discussion of different preference-based outcome (utility) measures. Despite the need, few analyses have been undertaken in periodontology. There are several issues in undertaking cost-effectiveness analyses specific to periodontology and these are examined in detail: outcome measures including patient-based vs. clinical measures of outcome; discounting or taking into account time preference for outcomes and costs; problems of costing, including the perspective taken in an analysis; interpreting the evidence, in particular using incremental cost-effectiveness ratios; and global variation in periodontal care delivery, including healthcare systems and the use of hygienists. The need for cost-effectiveness analysis in periodontology is explored further, and the need to involve a health economist in such an evaluation is underlined.
Chris
C
Vernazza
Peter
P
Heasman
Francesca
F
Gaunt
Mark
M
Pennington
D003363:Cost Control; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis / Q000191:economics; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics; D003729:Dental Care / Q000191:economics; D003756:Dental Hygienists / Q000191:economics; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D009909:Oral Health / Q000191:economics; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years; D016896:Treatment Outcome