Orthodontic cost awareness amongst orthodontic trainees in a university teaching hospital

ABSTRACT

Introduction: After successful completion of orthodontic membership examinations, post-graduate specialty trainees are deemed proficient to work independently in primary care, where some understanding of the costs of providing treatment may be required. Financial management forms part of Module 33 of the Specialty Advisory Committee (SAC) curriculum for orthodontic training. Objectives: Establish knowledge levels of the cost of orthodontic items by King’s College Hospital (KCH) Orthodontic trainees. Methods: A pictorial questionnaire was distributed to all KCH orthodontic trainees (n = 16) asking them to estimate the cost of 42 pictured items. Actual costs were calculated as a mean from supplier catalogues. Perceived costs were analysed and calculated as a range, mean and percentage difference in relation to actual costs. Results: When comparing perceived mean costs with actual means, no individual correctly valued at least half of the items within a 50% difference. With all respondents results combined to create an overall mean per item, just under a third (12 items) were valued within a 25% difference, just over half (22 items) within 50% difference, and just over a third (15 items) were greater than 100% difference. Conclusion: The responses highlighted a large discrepancy in knowledge, highlighting a requirement for basic fiscal education.

KEYWORDS:

• Costs
• finances
• budgets

Acknowledgements

The authors Nicholas Hemmings and Gurprit K. Bhamrah designed the study, constructed the questionnaire and distributed to all participants. Nicholas Hemmings then collated the results and performed the data analysis and interpretation before composing the manuscript. J. Gwilliam supervised the study, helped with the design and critically reviewed the manuscript for final approval. The original conception for this study was by J. Scholey and A. Pace as a BOS National Audit. Thanks to Mr Nigel Taylor (Consultant), Maria Goodier and Nikki Ellis (Senior Nurses) for helping with this survey.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID

Nicholas Hemmings http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4239-7571

Jamie Gwilliam http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3572-8563

Gurprit K. Bhamrah http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9353-5711