Economic aspects of mandibular third molar surgery

Abstract

Objective. The aim of this study was to make estimates from a dental care and societal perspective on costs of mandibular third molar surgery. Material and methods. A total of 64 patients were recruited from three Swedish oral and maxillofacial specialist clinics. Calculations were made prospectively on utilization of labor time, specific medical services and materials, and standardized utilization of other direct costs. Indirect costs were identified from patient surveys. Results. The base case average direct cost of surgery was 217 Euro. Adding the patient's average cost due to absence from work and transportation of 333 Euro increased overall costs to 550 Euro per patient. About 86% of the patients reported some absence following surgery. Conclusions. The indirect costs were on average higher than the direct costs, i.e. the patient's loss of time caused higher costs than the intervention per se. Appropriate indications for mandibular third molar removal can minimize the risks of complications and individual or societal costs.

Key Words::

• Economics
• oral surgery
• third molar

Acknowledgments

The project was supported by grants from the Swedish Medical Research Council (grant 11647), the Swedish Dental Society, the Faculty of Odontology, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden, and by support from the Swedish Council for Technology Assessments (SBU), Stockholm, Sweden. We thank all dentists, nurses and secretaries at the involved clinics for the time they gave us when filling out the questionnaires and for their interest in the project. We also thank the participating patients who filled out the questionnaires.