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Cost-effectiveness of root caries preventive treatments
Falk Schwendicke1, Gerd Göstemeyer1
1Department for Operative and Preventive Dentistry, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany.
Journal of Dentistry
|December 17, 2016
Summary
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is a cost-effective preventive treatment for root caries, especially in high-risk populations. It offers significant benefits in maintaining teeth free of decay over time.
Area of Science:
- Dental Public Health
- Health Economics
- Cariology
Background:
- Increasing numbers of adults retain teeth lifelong, often with periodontitis-induced root surface exposure.
- Effective and cost-efficient management strategies for root caries lesions are needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the cost-effectiveness of different preventive treatments for root caries.
- To compare no treatment, fluoride rinses, chlorhexidine (CHX) varnish, and silver diamine fluoride (SDF) varnish.
Main Methods:
- A 10-year Markov model simulation was employed.
- Network meta-analysis informed treatment efficacy data.
- Cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted from a mixed public-private payer perspective in 2016 German healthcare.
Main Results:
- In low-risk populations, no treatment was least costly but least effective.
- Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) was more costly but more effective than no treatment.
- SDF was the most effective and least costly option in high-risk populations.
Conclusions:
- Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is an effective preventive treatment for root caries.
- SDF can be cost-saving in high-risk populations.
- SDF application is recommended for root caries prevention in at-risk patients.
