A qualitative study on the evaluation of the registered dentists’ program of dentists / 대한구강보건학회지

Objectives@#This study aimed to evaluate the registered dentists’ program, from the dentist’s perspective, before its nationwide implementation. @*Methods@#In-depth interviews were conducted with 18 dentists who had participated in the registered dentists’ program in G Province. A questionnaire was prepared based on previous research. The data were collected by transcription of interview recordings. Qualitative research methodology was implemented and the data were coded according to the grounded theory. A paradigm model was presented and the core categories were indicated. @*Results@#The findings were organized into 6 categories, 25 subcategories, and 315 codes, based on open coding of the first categorization of collected data. The central phenomenon was found to be the experience of dissatisfaction with the program. The causal conditions were shown as problems of the program, while contextual and intervening conditions were shown as passive participation of dentists and positive effects of the program, respectively. The action/interaction strategies were summarized as an improvement plan and the consequence was an increased intention to participate. @*Conclusions@#The study proposes the need to strengthen primary dental care through this registered dentists’ program, by performing continuous evaluations. The standards and guidelines, cooperation of participants, and appropriate compensation should be considered to promote successful implementation.

A qualitative study on the evaluation of the registered dentists’ program of dentists / 대한구강보건학회지

Objectives@#This study aimed to evaluate the registered dentists’ program, from the dentist’s perspective, before its nationwide implementation. @*Methods@#In-depth interviews were conducted with 18 dentists who had participated in the registered dentists’ program in G Province. A questionnaire was prepared based on previous research. The data were collected by transcription of interview recordings. Qualitative research methodology was implemented and the data were coded according to the grounded theory. A paradigm model was presented and the core categories were indicated. @*Results@#The findings were organized into 6 categories, 25 subcategories, and 315 codes, based on open coding of the first categorization of collected data. The central phenomenon was found to be the experience of dissatisfaction with the program. The causal conditions were shown as problems of the program, while contextual and intervening conditions were shown as passive participation of dentists and positive effects of the program, respectively. The action/interaction strategies were summarized as an improvement plan and the consequence was an increased intention to participate. @*Conclusions@#The study proposes the need to strengthen primary dental care through this registered dentists’ program, by performing continuous evaluations. The standards and guidelines, cooperation of participants, and appropriate compensation should be considered to promote successful implementation.

The financial estimation of fluoride application coverage for children and adolescents / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to estimate the financial budget of fluoride application in the National Health Insurance.METHODS: The amount of fluoride application was calculated by using the sealant rate (utilization rate 1), dental examination rate (utilization rate 2), and the average rate of these two (utilization rate 3) in children and adolescents. For the next five years, 100% of the existing fees were applied to estimate the financial budget.RESULTS: The total budget for children and adolescents was estimated to be 22.0 billion won minimum and 83.5 billion won maximum in the first year, and 104.8 billion won minimum and 398.5 billion won maximum up to the next five years. Moreover, in high risk groups, the total budget was estimated to be 4.2 billion won minimum and 16.1 billion won maximum in the first year, and 18.6 billion won minimum and 70.8 billion won maximum up to the next five years.CONCLUSIONS: The financial budget of fluoride application coverage for children and adolescents was similar or lower than that of the current dental sealants. It needs to implement promptly with the reason of financial saving over the long-term point of view. Based on this evidence, it is affordable and necessary to begin to promote oral health for children and adolescents.

Financial estimate of light-curing composite resin treatment after National Health Insurance Service coverage / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to estimate the financial budget of light-curing composite resin fillings based on the expanded coverage of the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS), called “Moon Care.” METHODS: The estimated population with dental caries and the amount of light-curing composite resins used were determined. The fees for the resin fillings per tooth were considered for the calculations. The expected budget for the next five years for children and adolescents aged 5–12 and 5–19 years were calculated. RESULTS: During the first year of the coverage, the budget for children and adolescents aged <19 years was estimated to be 201.8 billion South Korean won (5–9 years, 17.9 billion South Korean won; 10–14 years, 76.6 billion South Korean won; and 15–19 years, 107.3 billion South Korean won). The total budget for the next five years for children and adolescents aged <19 years was estimated at 946.4 billion South Korean won. Likewise, the budget for children aged <12 years during the first year of the coverage was estimated at 63.9 billion South Korean won (5–9 years, 17.9 billion South Korean won and 10–12 years, 46 billion South Korean won), and the total budget for the next five years was estimated at 315.9 billion South Korean won. CONCLUSIONS: Government healthcare plans should be established based on treatment needs and financial estimations. All the items in the NHIS, including the light-curing composite resin filling, should be considered based on their contribution to oral health promotion. Furthermore, in the long term, the coverage for preventive health services should be included in the health insurance.

Trends in oral health inequality in 12-year-old Korean children: A study using the Gini coefficient / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to analyze the current state and tendency of oral health inequality in 12-year-old Korean children by calculating the Gini coefficient from decayed, missing, or filled teeth (DMFT) data. METHODS: Ten-year trends were empirically estimated by calculating the Gini coefficient from the Lorenz curve plotted based on the DMFT data of 12-year-old children, obtained from the Korean National Oral Health Survey from 2000 to 2010. RESULTS: While the oral health improved in general, oral health inequalities increased with the decrease in the number of DMFT each year, and the DMFT-based Gini coefficient increased from 0.53 in 2000 to 0.61 in 2010. The increase in the number of decayed and missing teeth was strongly affected by the increase in oral health inequality. CONCLUSIONS: To resolve Korea's continually increasing oral health inequality, it is necessary to establish support measures for vulnerable populations and to develop and manage a surveillance system for continuous monitoring of oral health inequality in the future.

Social determinants related to the regional difference of unmet dental need in Korea / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to examine the regional differences for unmet dental need, while comparing 16 metropolitan cities in South Korea. Further, this study aims to examine the impacts of social determinants, which relates to the regional difference. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study that analyzes the data, of the 4th round Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), in depth, as well as an ecologic analysis investigating each area as an aggregate unit. The data obtained from 24,871 subjects was stratified of 16 cities. The dependent variables were the unmet dental needs. There were 12 variables in social determinant, which have been approached by the social status, the social position, the economic status, the urbanization and access to resources. The sex-age adjusted standardization ratio was calculated and a descriptive statistical analysis was performed to compare the cities. The coefficient of variations was calculated. Social determinants affecting regional differences were analyzed through a multiple regression model. PASW statistics 18.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) was used. RESULTS: The unmet dental need between the 16 cities showed a 1.7 times the regional difference. On the other hand the unmet dental need, due to financial reason, showed a 3.3 times the regional difference. The correlation analysis showed that the unmet dental need was higher in single-person households, in welfarites and in severely deprived areas. The final regression analysis showed that the local deprivation index (beta=-17.19), the ratio of single-person household (beta=3.91), and the number of dentists per 10,000 population (beta=-2.30), were found to be statistically significant affecting the regional differences of unmet dental need (P<0.1). CONCLUSIONS: The unmet dental need in South Korea showed the regional difference, which was affected by the urbanization, the social position and resources of the areas among social determinants.

The reason of unmet dental need related socioeconomic status in Korea: Using the 4th Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to examine the possible reasons of unmet dental need, considering the relationship between the socioeconomic and oral health status in Korea. METHODS: The study was designed as a cross-sectional study, using the data of the 4th Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey. The samples were selected with a stratified clusters sampling method. The subjects were 8,808 out of 23,478 people, which participated in the health examination survey and the oral examination. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS18.0, according to complex sampling design. 26 variables reflecting demographic, social and economic characteristics, and an oral health status, were all examined for a complex sampling frequency analysis. Further, their distributional differences were confirmed by chi-square analysis. RESULTS: About 40% of the subjects failed to receive dental treatment when it was required. 'Financial burden' was the main reason, with the percentage of 39.1%, followed by 'busy with school or work' (22.4%), 'lower on the priority scale' (15.2%) and 'fear of dental treatment' (12.1%). 'Other reasons' were 5.9%. In addition to this, 2.9% of the subjects stated 'there was no one to help with their children', 1.6% was 'dental clinics were too far to go' and 0.8% was due to 'poor mobility and other health problems'. It was observed that younger than 6 years old, especially, seemed to have a high level of fear of dental treatment. The students due to school and the elderly were concerned with financial burden. Moreover, low-level educated and low-level income, also have their financial problems as the main reason. On the other hand, highly educated and those that were better-off, financially, were 'busy with school or work' as the main reason. CONCLUSIONS: The primary reason for unmet dental need was the financial burden in Korea. Also, it was confirmed that there were various reasons, according to the demographic, social and economic characteristics, such as their age, education levels and incomes, rather than oral health status.