title: Evaluation of the telephone and clinical NHS urgent dental service in Sheffield.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Evaluate an NHS in- and out-of-hours urgent dental service (UDS) including both a telephone triage provider (TTP) and a sole clinical provider (CP) using a quality framework.
  
  
  METHODS
  Analysis of activity and patient experience data.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ratio of volume of services to activity provided; distance and time travelled; appropriateness of referrals and treatments; equity of utilisation; patient experience; cost per patient.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Almost all calls (96.6%) to the TTP were answered within 60 seconds and of people referred to the CP 96.0% needed treatment. Proportionately more people from deprived areas used the TTP. Highest utilisation of the TTP was by people aged 20 to 44 years and lowest was by people over 54 years. Cost per patient utilising the TTP was £5.06. Of the available appointments provided by the CP, 90.9% were booked the TTP. Travel time to the CP was less than 30 minutes for 78.0% of patients. Of treatments provided, 77.9% were clinical interventions and 18.1% were prescription only. Proportionately more people from deprived areas attended the CP. Highest utilisation was by people aged 20 to 44 years and lowest by people over 54 years. Nearly half (47.0%) of those attending reported they did not have a dentist. There was a high level of patient satisfaction. Cost per course of treatment at the CP was £67.41.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall the UDS provided a high quality service in line with Maxwell's dimensions of quality. Timely advice and treatment was provided with high levels of patient satisfaction with the CP. Comparison with other urgent dental service models would determine the relative efficiency of the UDS.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Worsley
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Marshman
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000359:Aftercare / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003729:Dental Care / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004739:England; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D055656:Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013218:State Dentistry / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013689:Telephone / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014187:Transportation of Patients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014218:Triage / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult