The evaluation of a managed dental delivery concept

Phased dentistry (PD) is a philosophy of managed oral health care that emphasizes an orderly approach to dental risk assessment, prevention, and disease management. PD is divided into two stages. Phase I (PH1) care is intended to eliminate all conditions that may produce a dental emergency within 12 months. PH1 care is directed primarily to recruits and apprentice training students. Phase 2 (PH2) care strives to attain and maintain optimal oral health for Navy and Marine Corps personnel after their initial training period and throughout their military career. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of introducing PH1 into a recruit dental treatment facility. Data were obtained at Naval Dental Center (NDC), Orlando from 4,571 recruit dental patients who were in-processed and completed recruit training between May 27 and October 1, 1993. The incoming operational dental readiness (ODR) of recruits during the PD trial was 28.5%, whereas the ODR of graduating recruits was 85.8%. During this same period there was a 34% increase in completed dental treatments per provider full time equivalent. Although dramatic increases in ODR and productivity were noticed during PD, other variables may have contributed to these results.