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Metamorphosis of dentistry. Update on alternative delivery systems
1Family Dental Center South, Inc., Pueblo, Colorado 81005-2194.
Dental Clinics of North America
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Americans spent billions on dental care in 1985, with insurance covering a significant portion. The dental industry is evolving with new business models aiming for equitable risk distribution among providers, insurers, and patients.
Area of Science:
- Health Economics
- Dental Public Health
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- In 1985, US dental care expenditures reached $27.8 billion.
- Patient out-of-pocket payments constituted $18 billion, private insurance $9.2 billion, and public programs $0.6 billion.
- Commercial insurance dominated the market, covering over 70% of subscribers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the financial landscape of dental care in 1985.
- To examine the evolving market share of different dental insurance providers.
- To discuss the interplay of risk allocation among stakeholders in the dental industry.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of dental care expenditure data from 1985.
- Review of market share statistics for various dental insurance carriers.
- Qualitative assessment of stakeholder interactions and risk management strategies.
Main Results:
- Commercial insurance held over 70% market share, covering more than 80 million people.
- Dental service corporations and Blue Cross/Blue Shield covered over 30 million subscribers.
- A dynamic interplay exists between insurers, employers, and dentists regarding financial risk.
Conclusions:
- The dental industry is a significant business with evolving delivery systems.
- Future dental care models will likely involve more equitable risk-sharing among all parties.
- Sophisticated employers and consumers, alongside risk-sharing administrators and quality-driven providers, are key to viable alternative delivery systems.