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The evaluation of a managed dental delivery concept
D M Meyer1, J W Simecek, M E Stone
1Naval Dental Research Institute, Clinical Investigations Department, Great Lakes, IL 60088-5259, USA.
Military Medicine
|July 1, 1996
Summary
Phased dentistry (PD) improved recruit oral health readiness significantly. This managed care approach increased operational dental readiness (ODR) from 28.5% to 85.8% and boosted provider productivity by 34%.
Area of Science:
- Oral health management
- Preventive dentistry
- Military healthcare systems
Background:
- Phased dentistry (PD) is a structured oral healthcare model for risk assessment and disease management.
- PD comprises Phase I (PH1) for emergency prevention within 12 months and Phase 2 (PH2) for long-term oral health maintenance.
- PH1 is targeted at recruits and apprentice training students.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of implementing Phase I (PH1) of phased dentistry in a recruit dental treatment facility.
Main Methods:
- Data collected from 4,571 recruits at Naval Dental Center (NDC), Orlando.
- Recruits were in-processed and completed training between May 27 and October 1, 1993.
- Evaluated changes in operational dental readiness (ODR) and provider productivity.
Main Results:
- Incoming recruits had an ODR of 28.5%.
- Graduating recruits achieved an ODR of 85.8%.
- Completed dental treatments per provider increased by 34%.
Conclusions:
- Introducing PH1 into a recruit dental facility appears feasible and highly effective.
- Significant improvements in ODR and provider productivity were observed.
- Further research may be needed to isolate variables contributing to these outcomes.