title: Are people who still have their natural teeth willing to pay for mandibular two-implant overdentures?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Oral health in Canada and most developed and developing countries is funded by private payers, whose acceptance of treatment depends on their valuation of it. This study aims to determine how dentate individuals in Quebec, Canada, would value the benefits of mandibular two-implant overdentures based on their willingness to pay (WTP) for the treatment, either directly or with insurance/government coverage.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 39 individuals (23-54 years) completed a Web-based WTP survey that consisted of three cost scenarios: (a) out-of-pocket payment; (b) private dental insurance coverage; and (c) public funding through additional taxes. Variations in WTP amounts were measured using regression models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among respondents who were dentate or missing some teeth, average WTP out of pocket for implant overdentures was CAD$5419 for a 90% success rate. They were willing to pay an average CAD$169 as one-time payment for private dental insurance, with a one in five chance of becoming edentate. WTP amounts increased substantially with the probability of success of implant overdenture therapy. The results of regression analyses were consistent with theoretical predictions for education level and income (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study, within its limitations, suggest that dentate individuals would be willing to pay a significant amount to receive mandibular two-implant overdentures if and when they become edentate.
authors.affiliation: Division of Oral Health and Society, Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Akanksha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Srivastava
authors.forename: Jocelyne S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Feine
authors.forename: Shahrokh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Esfandiari
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D015921:Dental Implants / Q000191:economics* / Q000523:psychology; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported / Q000191:economics*; D003817:Dentition; D003828:Denture, Overlay / Q000191:economics* / Q000523:psychology; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005380:Financing, Government; D005382:Financing, Personal / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D007347:Insurance, Dental / Q000191:economics*; D007576:Jaw, Edentulous, Partially / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible; D008875:Middle Aged; D017149:Private Sector / Q000191:economics; D011792:Quebec; D013660:Taxes / Q000191:economics; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants
keywords: contingent valuation; dental health insurance; economic; implant; public funding