Impacts of copayment in civil service medical benefits on dental care utilization among patients in a extended-hour clinic
Authors :
- Chanchai Hosanguan
- Niramon Deeprasertkul
- Boossakorn Saison
- Benjawan Lerdpunnapongse
Abstract :
Objectives The aim of this research is to evaluate impacts of copayment in civil service medical benefits (CSMB) upon utilization of dental services among patients at the Special Care Clinic.
Materials and methods During January-February 1999, patients aged 18-60 years attending the Special Care Dental Clinic, Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University were asked to complete 468 questionnaires. 209 patients were in the civil service/enterprise group and 259 patients in the private group. Data analysis was performed to compare dental utilization among these patients.
Results Rates of dental utilization and dental expense in 1998 as compared to those in 1997 were not significantly different in both civil service and private groups. However, patients in the civil service group reported less utilization of fillings (p = 0.045) and scaling (p = 0.023). In addition, there was a significant difference of perceived impact of copayment in CSMB on dental utilization between the two groups of patients (p<0.001).
Conclusion There appeared to be an impact of copayment in CSMB on certain aspects of dental care utilization among civil service attendants at the Special Care Dental Clinic.
(CU Dent J 2001;24:111-9)
Keywords :
civil service; copayment; dental utilization
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