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How to measure the cost‐effectiveness of periodontal treatments
Author(s) -
Vernazza Chris,
Heasman Peter,
Gaunt Francesca,
Pennington Mark
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
periodontology 2000
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.725
H-Index - 122
eISSN - 1600-0757
pISSN - 0906-6713
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0757.2011.00406.x
Subject(s) - periodontology , medicine , activity based costing , cost effectiveness , cost–benefit analysis , outcome (game theory) , preference , periodontal surgery , risk analysis (engineering) , dentistry , marketing , ecology , mathematics , mathematical economics , economics , business , biology , microeconomics
Abstract There is a need to measure efficiency of periodontal treatments. Efficiency questions can be addressed through a variety of economic evaluation techniques: cost minimization, cost‐effectiveness, cost utility and cost–benefit analysis. Each of these techniques is outlined in this article, including a detailed discussion of different preference‐based outcome (utility) measures. Despite the need, few analyses have been undertaken in periodontology. There are several issues in undertaking cost‐effectiveness analyses specific to periodontology and these are examined in detail: outcome measures including patient‐based vs. clinical measures of outcome; discounting or taking into account time preference for outcomes and costs; problems of costing, including the perspective taken in an analysis; interpreting the evidence, in particular using incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios; and global variation in periodontal care delivery, including healthcare systems and the use of hygienists. The need for cost‐effectiveness analysis in periodontology is explored further, and the need to involve a health economist in such an evaluation is underlined.