Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 23, 2025
Comprehensive & Cost Effective Laboratory Monitoring of HIV/AIDS: an African Role Model
Published on: October 31, 2010
Patient treatment cost of oral diseases in Ghana
Seli Y Deh1, Justice Nonvignon2,3, Moses Aikins2,3
1Tema Metropolitan Health Directorate, Ghana Health Service, Private Mail Bag, Tema, Ghana.
Objectives:
To estimate patient treatment cost of oral diseases in Ghana.
Design:
A cross-sectional study design using cost-of-illness analysis was employed.
Setting:
The study was conducted at the dental unit of the University of Ghana Hospital, Legon.
Participants:
About 185 patients attending the dental unit of the hospital were selected.
Interventions:
None.
Main Outcome Measures:
Direct medical and non-medical costs, indirect costs, and intangible costs of treatment of oral conditions.
Results:
The estimated average cost of treatment for oral diseases was US$ 35.75. The total cost was US$ 6,614.11, with the direct and indirect costs constituting 94.5% and 5.5%, respectively of the total cost. Direct medical costs constituted 86.9%, while direct non-medical costs constituted 13.1% of the total direct cost. The richer socio-economic group had the highest cost per quintile, with a mean of US$ 46.69. The intangible cost described was highest for pain (47.1%), followed by difficulty in eating (40.8%) and sleeping (34.6%) for both men and women.
Conclusion:
The costs of oral diseases are huge and cannot be overlooked. Oral diseases also pose significant productivity losses to patients.
Funding:
None declared.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Tooth Anatomy
The Crown, Neck, and Root
The visible part of the tooth is referred to as the crown. It's covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The crown is uniquely shaped for each type of tooth, allowing for different functions such as cutting, tearing, or...
01:28Pulmonary Tuberculosis V
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the...
01:26Assessment of the Mouth
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.
01:15Teeth
In the bud stage, the tooth germ (an aggregation of cells) starts to form in the developing jawbone. During the cap stage, the tooth germ differentiates into enamel organ, dental papilla, and dental sac, which will later develop into the tooth's enamel, dentin...
01:30Preventive Healthcare Services
01:26Tonsillitis II: Management