Managing an Abscessed Tooth: Patient Preferences and Economic Analysis
Author Information
Author(s): Balevi Ben, Shepperd Sasha
Primary Institution: University of British Columbia
Hypothesis
What are the dental-health-state utilities and ranking preferences of patients for different treatment options for an endodontically abscessed tooth?
Conclusion
The position of the abscessed tooth and the amount of insurance coverage influences the utility and rank assigned by patients to the different treatment options.
Supporting Evidence
- The Standard Gamble utilities for the restoration of a mandibular 1st molar showed significant differences between treatment options (p < 0.05).
- The expected-utility-value for a 5-year prosthetic survival was highest for the conventional dental bridge and single tooth implant.
- Participants' willingness-to-pay was higher for fixed restorative treatments compared to removable partial dentures.
Takeaway
When people have a toothache, they have different options to fix it, and how much they like each option can depend on where the tooth is and how much insurance they have.
Methodology
Forty school teachers ranked their preferences for various dental treatment options using standard gamble and willingness to pay methods.
Potential Biases
The snowball sampling method may introduce bias as participants may share similar beliefs and preferences.
Limitations
The study's sample was predominantly female and may not represent the general population.
Participant Demographics
Participants were mainly middle-aged school teachers, with 75% being female.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Confidence Interval
95% CI given in [brackets]
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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