A cost-efficiency analysis of a mobile dental clinic in the public services

During 1997, the Gauteng Oral Health Services implemented a Mobile Oral Health Care System (MOHCS) in the province. For the first year (1997/98) one mobile dental clinic was utilised in the West Rand region of the province and services were provided by dentists, dental therapists and oral hygienists. The purpose of the MOHCS is to provide an accessible and affordable comprehensive oral health care service of high quality and standard. The aim of this study was to determine the cost-efficiency of the mobile dental clinic utilised in the West Rand region over the first year of implementation. After consultation with all stakeholders, an operational plan was finalised. The plan included a traveling schedule, clinicians available for service delivery, and a management information system (MIS). Statistics on dental materials, consumables, treatment provided, etc. were collected and analysed. During the study period 2072 patients received dental treatment at 38 different sites in the region. At an average cost of R56.50 (+/- US$11) per patient, services to the value of R92.45 (+/- US$18) per patient were delivered during 104 working days. Of the 1477 patients treated by a dentist or dental therapist, 53% were treated by extracting 1026 teeth, and 27% by restoring 570 teeth. For oral hygiene patients, 67% received an oral hygiene procedure and 13% received fissure sealants. With a net margin ratio of 0,39 and a breakeven point of 1173,46 patients and 58,90 days, an accessible and cost-efficient service was provided to health districts in the West Rand region.