Factors Associated With Cost Conversations in Oral Health Care Settings
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-25-2022
Publication Title
The Journal of the American Dental Association
DOI
10.1016/j.adaj.2022.04.003
Abstract
Background
Patient–provider cost conversations can minimize cost-related barriers to health, while improving treatment adherence and patient satisfaction. The authors sought to identify factors associated with the occurrence of cost conversations in dentistry.
Methods
This was a cross-sectional study using data from an online, self-administered survey of US adults who had seen a dentist within the past 24 months at the time of the survey. Multivariable hierarchical logistic regression analysis was used to identify patient and provider characteristics associated with the occurrence of cost conversations.
Results
Of the 370 respondents, approximately two-thirds (68%) reported having a cost conversation with their dental provider during their last dental visit. Cost conversations were more likely for patients aged 25 through 34 years (odds ratio [OR], 2.84; 95% CI, 1.54 to 5.24), 35 through 44 years (OR, 3.35; 95% CI, 1.50 to 7.51), and 55 through 64 years (OR, 3.39; 95% CI, 1.38 to 8.28) than patients aged 18 through 24 years. Cost conversations were less likely to occur during visits with dental hygienists than during visits with general or family dentists (OR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.11 to 0.58). In addition, respondents from the South (OR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.04 to 3.48) and those screened for financial hardship were more likely to report having cost conversations with their dental providers (OR, 6.70; 95% CI, 2.69 to 16.71).
Conclusions
Within the study sample, cost conversations were common and were facilitated via financial hardship screening.
Recommended Citation
Brown, Tawanna, Bettye A. Apenteng, Samuel T. Opoku.
2022.
"Factors Associated With Cost Conversations in Oral Health Care Settings."
The Journal of the American Dental Association, 153 (9): 829-838: Elsevier.
doi: 10.1016/j.adaj.2022.04.003
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/hpmb-facpubs/262
Copyright
Copyright belongs to Elsevier. Information regarding the dissemination and usage of journal articles can be accessed through the following links.
Comments
Georgia Southern University faculty members, Bettye A. Apenteng and Samuel T. Opoku co-authored Factors Associated With Cost Conversations in Oral Health Care Settings.