Comparing the treatment provided by UK and non-UK trained health professionals: dentists in Scotland.
OBJECTIVE
To examine differences in the amount of treatment provided by UK and non-UK trained dentists in the Scottish National Health Service.


METHODS
Using a unique administrative data set, we utilize multivariate fixed effects regression models that control for patient characteristics and unobserved heterogeneity across dentists to explore the extent of treatment delivered.


RESULTS
Non-UK trained dentists initially provide more treatment than UK-trained dentists, but over approximately two years of practice their treatment converge.


CONCLUSIONS
As with many OECD countries, the UK relies on foreign-trained health professionals to address workforce shortages and one concern is whether they provide equivalent health care to their domestically trained counterparts. Whilst there is a difference in the amount of treatment provided by UK and non-UK trained dentists, the effect is modest and transitory.
Economic Studies, University of Dundee, UK. s.wang@dundee.ac.uk
Shaolin
S
Wang
Martin
M
Chalkley
Colin
C
Tilley
D000328:Adult; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003815:Dentists / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004497:Education, Dental / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005551:Foreign Professional Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs; D012606:Scotland; D013997:Time Factors; D006113:United Kingdom