Improving Dental Service Utilization Rate Using a Proactive Telephone-Based Scheduling Strategy in Primary Healthcare

Abstract

How to cite this article: Garrido JC, Matamala D, Cartes-Velásquez R, Campos V. Improving dental service utilization rate using a proactive telephone-based scheduling strategy in primary healthcare. Pesqui Bras Odontopediatria Clín Integr. 2020; 20:e5043. https://doi. Abstract Objective:To determine the effect of a proactive telephone-based scheduling strategy to improve dental service utilization rate in primary healthcare. Material and Methods: A retrospective study was carried out based on the dental appointments' records of a primary healthcare center before-strategy and after-strategy periods. The variables studied for both periods were the number of dental appointments requested, dental appointments undergone, no-shows, and available quotas. Data collection was performed by two researchers between May and June 2018. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate the absolute and relative frequencies. Results: A total of 10,193 records of dental appointments were registered within the two periods. After-strategy period, dental appointments undergone increased by 16,7%, no-shows decreased by 3%, and available quotas decreased by 21.3%. Conclusion: A proactive telephone-based scheduling strategy increased the dental service utilization rate in primary healthcare.

Prevention of noise-induced hearing loss by rational appointment algorithm in periodontal, restorative and prosthetic treatments: A method study

“…25 Annual screening has been recommended for NIHL, but its use has not been widely accepted 6,[26][27][28] Various studies have been carried out in clinics for more efficient patient admission, less waiting time, or more patient satisfaction. 19,20 In these studies, dentists and their staff work harder and are exposed to more occupational noise. In addition, occupational noise can cause people with dental anxiety to delay their treatment.…”

“…However, these studies did not consider occupational noise levels. 19,20 Efforts have been made to reduce the time spent outside the clinic, such as waiting times for patients, time to reach the dentist, etc., to admit more patients to the clinic. [21][22][23][24] These studies aimed to admit more patients with the same number of dentists and nurses.…”

Não comparência a consultas de medicina dentária: uma breve análise das causas e estratégias de prevenção

“…En Chile, un estudio realizado por Garrido et al (1) evaluó la implementación de un sistema de agendado y recordatorio de citas a través del llamado telefónico a los pacientes. Ellos observaron no tan solo una disminución de las inasistencias (de 24 % a 21 %), sino además un aumento en el agendado de citas debido a la reprogramación oportuna de las horas de los pacientes que no asistían, disminuyendo así la cantidad de horas libres hasta en un 40 % en algunos meses.…”

“…Cada vez que alguien no concurre a una atención en salud no solo se pierde el tiempo destinado por el profesional para esta prestación, sino que también se le quita la oportunidad a otro paciente de utilizar dichas horas. Este es un problema tanto en el área médica en general como en el área netamente odontológica (1). En esta área es aún mayor la cantidad de pacientes que no se presentan (NSP) a sus citas, por lo cual es un tema para la investigación y búsqueda de soluciones (1-7).…”