Laura J. Skaret, BS, RDH: A commercial dental payer: My employer has a financial relationship with a commercial dental payer. (Ongoing); Enable Dental: My employer has a financial relationship with this company. (Ongoing); Incisive Technologies: My employer has a financial relationship with this company. (Ongoing); MouthWatch LLC: My employer has a financial relationship with this company. (Ongoing); vVARDIS: My employer has a financial relationship with this company. (Ongoing)
Abstract: Introduction: Evidence-based noninvasive caries therapies (NCTs) for tooth decay have recently become available in the U.S. The fundamental difference in the delivery of NCTs as compared to dental restorations brings into question the balance of costs and net benefits (health and economic) for each paradigm. The scenario of initial caries lesions was assessed for cost-beneficial application of limited oral health care resources.
Methods: The financial costs and revenue of three evidence-based NCTs for initial caries: silver diamine fluoride (SDF), peptide-guided enamel regeneration (Curodont), and glass ionomer sealants (GIs), were estimated from the perspective of real fee-for-service payor and clinic data. The costs and health impact of eleven scenarios with varying mixes of NCT, no treatment, and one to three-surface restorations over a three-year period were compared.
Results: Restoring 100% of initial lesions is the most profitable for the provider, the most expensive for the payor, and undesirable for the patient. An ideal mix of NCT by anatomical area (GIs on pits and fissures; SDF in non-esthetic areas; Curodont in esthetic areas) is profitable for providers, yields cost savings for payors compared to 100% restorations, and is desirable for patients. The shorter procedural time and lower personnel cost for NCTs led to cost-benefit when compared to restorations amid similar clinical failure rates.
Conclusions: NCTs are recommended to decrease payor costs, maintain provider profitability, to improve the patient experience of care.
Source of Funding: CareQuest Innovation Partners
Please note: CareQuest Innovation Partners has financial and/or investment relationships with companies that market a noninvasive caries therapy, a brush-on caries diagnostic, an intraoral camera, a teledentistry platform, portable geriatric dentistry, and possibly other relevant products by the time of this talk, in support of its mission to improve oral health for all.
