Are larger dental practices more efficient? An analysis of dental services production.
(73/80)
Whether cost-efficiency in dental services production increases with firm size is investigated through application of an activity analysis production function methodology to data from a national survey of dental practices. Under this approach, service delivery in a dental practice is modeled as a linear programming problem that acknowledges distinct input-output relationships for each service. These service-specific relationships are then combined to yield projections of overall dental practice productivity, subject to technical and organizational constraints. The activity analysis reported here represents arguably the most detailed evaluation yet of the relationship between dental practice size and cost-efficiency, controlling for such confounding factors as fee and service-mix differences across firms. We conclude that cost-efficiency does increase with practice size, over the range from solo to four-dentist practices. Largely because of data limitations, we were unable to test satisfactorily for scale economies in practices with five or more dentists. Within their limits, our findings are generally consistent with results from the neoclassical production function literature. From the standpoint of consumer welfare, the critical question raised (but not resolved) here is whether these apparent production efficiencies of group practice are ultimately translated by the market into lower fees, shorter queues, or other nonprice benefits. (+info)
Delegation of expanded functions to dental assistants and hygienists.
(74/80)
One hundred and twenty-six dental offices in Washington State kept a record of each time an expanded function was performed by the dentist, hygienist, or assistant. There were five two-week recording periods starting in February 1979 and ending in February 1981. Consistent with increasing productivity, dentists most frequently delegate tasks to dental assistants rather than dental hygienists and delegate an individual task consistently if it is delegated at all. For tasks that may be delegated to the assistant, a relationship was found between the per cent of dentists delegating an individual task and the amount of the dentist's time that is freed through delegating that task. From the perspective of quality of care, the per cent of dentists who delegate a task was inversely related to the complexity of the task. (+info)
Dental x-ray use in Boston.
(75/80)
A telephone survey of 40 dental offices in Boston, Massachusetts, revealed that 95 per cent perform x-ray procedures as part of the initial examination of a new patient, that almost one-half (47.5 per cent) routinely include a full-mouth x-ray series in the initial examination, and that 85 per cent include some type of radiographic procedure as part of the periodic visits for cleaning and checkups. These percentages are substantially in excess of those reported by other investigators in which the respondents were aware that their policies with respect to the use of x-rays were being evaluated. (+info)
The reaction of the dental profession to changes in the 1970s.
(76/80)
This paper explores the changing realities of dentistry in the 1970s: the development of denturism; the maldistribution of dental practitioners; the growth and activities of expanded function auxiliaries; the intrusion of the Federal Trade Commission into professional issues resulting in advertising, supermarket and franchise dentistry; and the effect of prepayment plans. These realities are considered in terms of their impact on the profession and the efforts by the individual practitioner and his representative organizations to come to terms with them. (+info)
Maternity rights and the law.
(77/80)
This article outlines the main points relating to Maternity Rights and the law. It emphasises the wisdom of being knowledgeable of these aspects, and ensuring they are understood by relevant members of staff. (+info)
Quality managing in practice--using ISO 9002.
(78/80)
The value of an International Quality Standard in Orthodontic Practice is discussed. The nature of the process is described and relevant sources presented for further exploration of the subject. The relevance of ISO 9002 to orthodontic practice is highlighted. (+info)
Quality assurance in the dental profession.
(79/80)
The dental profession has traditionally attempted to ensure quality and to guarantee high educational standards by restricting licensure. Recently, many factors have increased public and government interest in the quality of care provided by health professionals. A framework for understanding quality assurance is presented. This framework incorporates with Donabedian's dimensions of structure, process and outcome the additional dimensions of system capacity and community. All dimensions of quality are assessed by comparison with an accepted standard. Quality assurance can be considered as occurring at a system level, a managerial level, and a practice level. All quality assurance activities work to fulfil society's requirements to maintain self-governing professional status. (+info)
The benefits of marketing in orthodontics.
(80/80)
This article gives an outline of marketing basics and how they could be used to best effect in the Orthodontic profession. (+info)