Conundrums in merging public policy into private dentistry: experiences from Australia’s recent past

Lam, Raymond; Kruger, Estie; Tennant, Marc

doi:10.1071/ah14038

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Our findings further highlight the issue that, without the interventional reform to the government and private divide, improvement in oral health to reflect the policies will prove a significant hurdle. 26 Because incorporating dental services in Medicare is not feasible, increasing preventative funding to address the low socio-economic members of the Australian population, aged and informed, as well as those with access difficulties, could be a possibility. 27…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Management of dental emergencies amongst Australian general medical practitioners – A case‐vignette study

Park

Page

Shen

et al. 2021

Australian Dental Journal

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Background In Australia, because of inequity in dental service accessibility and affordability, patients can see general medical practitioners (GPs) for acute dental conditions. Methods This cross‐sectional study consisted of surveys distributed to the board registered GPs practising in Australia. The main outcome measures included statistical analysis of GPs managing different dental emergency scenarios and their confidence and expectations in managing dental emergencies. Results A total of 425 GPs participated in the study. The sample primarily consisted of GPs practising in metropolitan clinics (n = 315). Most participants reported that they would refer to the dentist for mobilized tooth (n = 402). There was a negative correlation between GPs with 5–29 years of experience and traumatized tooth management (P < 0.05). GPs aged between 40 and 49 years were more inclined to treat patients with mobilized teeth [Multivariate (MV): 0.42(0.09–0.74)]. However, GPs with 0–5 years of experience were less likely to manage patients with dental abscess [MV: −0.52(−0.80 to −0.24)]. Conclusion Most GPs referred dental emergencies to dentists. GP management of dental emergencies were predominantly palliative. Therefore, opportunities for collaborative practice models amongst GPs and dentists may be needed to bridge the gap in the regional and remote locations.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Management of dental emergencies amongst Australian general medical practitioners – A case‐vignette study

Park

Page

Shen

et al. 2021

Australian Dental Journal

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“…18 It is likely that without substantial structural reform to this government/private divide, there will continue to be challenges in implementing policies to improve oral health. 48 The economic effect of the Great Depression affected diets and capacity to pay for dental services or even basic items such as toothbrushes and toothpaste. Poor oral health habits learned by children endured for decades and were passed onto their offspring.…”

Section: Medicine and Dentistrymentioning

confidence: 99%

Medicine and dentistry: Shall ever the twain meet?

Gupta

Stuart

2020

Aust J Gen Pract

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Background Oral health and general medical health are intimately linked. However, medical and dental practitioners often work in isolation from each other and have separate training, funding, regulatory and administrative systems. Objective The aim of this article is to explore the history behind the divide between medicine and dentistry, and the challenges this raises. Discussion The siloed nature of the two professional groups may be attributed to historical backgrounds, deficiencies in interdisciplinary education, government funding discrepancies and differing models of care. The two professions have evolved with different social drivers and scientific underpinnings, with only a recent appreciation of the many connections between the health of the mouth and the health of the body. Solutions to overcome this divide should be considered in order to ensure better outcomes for patients, the community and perhaps the professions themselves.

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Geographic patterns of dental service use in the Child Dental Benefits Schedule: 6 years of claims in the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children

Stormon,

Do,

Hopcraft

et al. 2023

Health Prom J of Aust

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Issue AddressedThis article explores the geographic patterns of claims within the Australian Government's Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS).BackgroundThe CDBS is a means‐tested schedule implemented in 2014 to improve access to dental services for children. Under the schedule, eligible children receive funding to subsidise dental services.MethodsThis study used data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children and linked data from the Medicare universal healthcare system, to examine dental service use amongst a subset of children aged 10 and 14 years. Dental service items were classified using Two‐step Cluster Analysis, and appointments were analysed using multinomial logistic regression. Geographic characteristics were included as predictor variables.ResultsThe study found that the majority of dental appointments were non‐operative (70.7%, n = 5808), with diagnostic, radiographic, and preventive items being the most common. There were slightly higher proportions of operative appointments (fillings and extractions) compared with non‐operative appointments in remote and very remote areas, low socio‐economic areas, and Queensland and Northern Territory. Cluster analysis identified eight groups of non‐operative appointments and four groups of operative appointments. New South Wales had a higher proportion of ‘prophylactic IV’ appointments than any other State and Territory, which included debridement and topical fluoride services.ConclusionCluster analysis identified distinct groups of non‐operative and operative appointments, each with unique characteristics. The distribution of appointments varied by State/Territory and region.So WhatFurther research and interventions are needed to ensure equitable access to services and a shift to preventive care for disadvantaged populations of Australian children. Exploring alternative funding models that support clinically relevant claims, rather than maximising financial benefits such as time‐based renumeration models should be explored.

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Conundrums in merging public policy into private dentistry: experiences from Australia’s recent past

Cited by 3 publications

References 21 publications

Management of dental emergencies amongst Australian general medical practitioners – A case‐vignette study

Management of dental emergencies amongst Australian general medical practitioners – A case‐vignette study

Medicine and dentistry: Shall ever the twain meet?

Geographic patterns of dental service use in the Child Dental Benefits Schedule: 6 years of claims in the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children

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