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Cost-Effectiveness of Caries Prevention in Practice: A Randomized Controlled Trial
C O'Neill1, H V Worthington2, M Donaldson3
11 Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK.
Journal of Dental Research
|May 19, 2017
Summary
A 3-year study found that providing fluoride varnish, toothpaste, and advice to young children did not prove cost-effective for caries prevention in a state-funded dental service. The intervention group incurred higher costs with no significant reduction in caries incidence.
Area of Science:
- Dental Public Health
- Health Economics
Background:
- Early childhood caries (ECC) is a significant public health concern.
- Cost-effectiveness of preventive dental interventions requires rigorous evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the cost-effectiveness of a fluoride-based caries prevention program for young children.
- To compare a comprehensive intervention package with standard dental advice.
Main Methods:
- A 2-arm parallel-group randomized controlled trial involving 1,096 children aged 2-3 years over 3 years.
- Intervention group received fluoride varnish, toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste, and advice; control group received advice only.
- Cost-effectiveness analyzed using incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs).
Main Results:
- The intervention group had higher mean health care costs (£212.56 more per child).
- Statistically significant differences were only observed in the number of carious surfaces.
- The mean cost per carious surface avoided was estimated at £251.
Conclusions:
- The evaluated fluoride-based intervention delivered at the practice level raises concerns regarding its cost-effectiveness within a state-funded dental service.
- Further research may be needed to optimize preventive strategies for early childhood caries.
Keywords:
child dentistryclinical practiceclinical studies/trialscomparative effectiveness research (CER)economic evaluationfluoride(s)More Related Videos
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