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Cost‐effectiveness of an experimental caries‐control regimen in a 3.4‐yr randomized clinical trial among 11–12‐yr‐old Finnish schoolchildren
Author(s) -
Hietasalo Pauliina,
Seppä Liisa,
Lahti Satu,
Niinimaa Ahti,
Kallio Jouko,
Aronen Pasi,
Sintonen Harri,
Hausen Hannu
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
european journal of oral sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.802
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1600-0722
pISSN - 0909-8836
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0722.2009.00687.x
Subject(s) - regimen , medicine , randomized controlled trial , cost effectiveness , population , dentistry , clinical trial , pediatrics , physical therapy , surgery , environmental health , risk analysis (engineering)
The aim of this study was to assess the cost‐effectiveness of an experimental caries‐control regimen in a randomized clinical trial (RCT) conducted in Pori, Finland, in 2001–2005. Children ( n = 497) who were 11–12 yr of age and had at least one active initial caries lesion at baseline were studied. The children in the experimental group ( n = 250) were offered an individually designed patient‐centered regimen for caries control. The children in the control group ( n = 247) received standard dental care. Furthermore, the whole population was exposed to continuous community‐level oral health promotion. Individual costs of treatment procedures and outcomes (DMFS increment score) for the follow‐up period of 3.4 yr were calculated for each child in both groups. The incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio was €34.07 per averted DMF surface. The experimental regimen was more effective, and also more costly. However, the total costs decreased year after year, and for the last 2 yr the experimental regimen was less expensive than the standard dental care. The experimental regimen would probably have been more cost‐effective than standard dental care if the follow‐up period had been longer, the regimen less comprehensive, and/or if dental nurses had conducted the preventive procedures.