70 - Incentivizing Quality Data Collection as a Tool for Oral Health Transformation

Abstract:

Objective: Alternative (to fee-for-service) payment models are emerging in dentistry following a decade of use in medicine. Incentives for data collection were a building block for advancing large scale transformation in medicine, particularly in the Patient Centered Medical Home. This session will explore the importance of collecting and utilizing quality data for oral health value transformation, integration, and pursuit of health equity through a case study of dental teams in North Carolina (NC).

Methods: A pay-for-reporting incentive was developed and is being tested in North Carolina learning community of dental clinics focused on sharing best practices and support champions for oral health transformation. Clinics receive incentive dollars for timely and complete reporting of clinical, financial, and demographic and social quality measures for use in transformation efforts.

Results: 12 clinics are in the process of reporting and using data, as the initiative is ongoing. Learnings shared will include the importance of quality measurement and a consistent data structure and reporting process, a team-based approach to data collection, use of data to improve care quality and equity, and the incentive's success in contributing to value transformation.

Conclusions: Dentistry can utilize quality-based payment models to support data collection and use as a tool for equitable oral health transformation.

Source of Funding: CareQuest Institute for Oral Health