Eliciting Preferences for Adult Orthodontic Treatment: A Discrete Choice Experiment

Area of Science:

• Dental research
• Health economics
• Consumer behavior

Background:

• Limited research exists on how adults financially value private orthodontic treatment.
• Understanding patient preferences for treatment attributes is crucial in the competitive private healthcare market.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if the dental professional's skill level and orthodontic appliance type influence public valuation of private adult orthodontic treatment.
• To elicit marginal willingness to pay (MWTP) for different orthodontic treatment attributes.

Main Methods:

• A discrete choice experiment was conducted with 206 adult participants in Northeast England.
• Key attributes investigated included dental professional's skill level, orthodontic appliance type, and cost.
• Data were analyzed using conditional logistic regression to determine MWTP.

Main Results:

• Participants placed higher value on the training and expertise of the dental professional than on the type of orthodontic appliance.
• Marginal willingness to pay (MWTP) increased with the recognized skill level of the dental professional.
• Aesthetic appliances were preferred over fixed metal appliances, with participants willing to pay more for them.

Conclusions:

• Patient preferences in private adult orthodontic treatment are significantly influenced by the provider's expertise and appliance aesthetics.
• There is a clear financial incentive for clinicians to enhance their skills and knowledge to meet patient demand for high-quality care.
• The findings suggest that provider qualifications and treatment options are key factors in patient decision-making for orthodontic care.