Evaluation of an intermediate minor oral surgery service in Plymouth, England and implications for future commissioning
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Published on: June 20, 2018
Amirali Ziaebrahimi1, Robert Witton2
1Peninsula Dental School, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK.
Objective:
To evaluate a new primary-care based oral surgery service in Plymouth, England using Maxwells' Dimensions of Quality framework.
Methods:
A retrospective observational study of referral, service and treatment outcome data.
Results:
Over a 35-month period the service received 1165 referrals, with 89% of patients referred receiving treatment within 63 days. Treatment provided was predominantly dento-alevolar surgery accounting for 82% of treatment provided, and soft tissue lesions accounting for 17%. The re-attendance rate for complications was 4%, and antibiotic use was 2%. Sedation was required for 17% of treatment cases. Cost analysis indicated a cost per case of between £138-196.
Conclusion:
The service meets the national clinical standards in oral surgery. High ongoing demand for referral of medium-complexity oral surgery cases from primary dental care to specialist providers/services is likely to continue. The opportunity to develop more primary care capacity has the potential to improve accessibility and convenience for patients and optimise use of NHS resources.
