Abstract
The aim of this study is to examine how clinicians and patients negotiate clinical need and treatment decisions within a context of finite resources. Dental implant treatment is an effective treatment for missing teeth, but is only available via the NHS in some specific clinical circumstances. The majority of people who receive this treatment therefore pay privately, often at substantial cost to themselves. People are used to paying towards dental treatment costs. However, dental implant treatment is much more expensive than existing treatments – such as removable dentures. We know very little about how dentists make decisions about whether to offer such treatments, or what patients consider when deciding whether or not to pay for them.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 7 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | BMC Health Services Research |
Volume | 9 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 12 Jan 2009 |
Keywords
- healthcare decision making
- dental treatment
- health economics