Dental responsibility loadings and the relative value of dental services

Abstract

Objective

To estimate responsibility loadings for a comprehensive list of dental services, providing a standardized unit of clinical work effort.

Methods

Dentists (n=2500) randomly sampled from the Australian Dental Association membership were assigned to one of 25 panels. Each panel received a questionnaire eliciting responsibility loadings for eight common services (core items) and approximately 12 other services unique to that questionnaire. Relaibility was assessed by examining differences in core item loadings by panel assignment. Estimated loadings were described by reporting the median and mean.

Results

Response rate was 37%. Core item loadings did not vary by panel assignment. Oral surgery and endodontic services had the highest proportion (91%) of median loadings ≥1.5, followed by prosthodontics (78%), periodontics (76%), orthodontics (63%), restorative (62%) and diagnostic services (31%). Preventive services had median loadings ≤1.25.

Conclusion

Dental responsibility loadings estimated by this study can be applied in the development of relative value scales

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