IADR Abstract Archives
Patients’ Economic Preference For Different Treatment Strategies for Edentulous Mandible
Objectives: Two-implant overdentures (IODs) have been advocated as the minimum standard of care for the rehabilitation of the edentulous mandible. However, amongst Japanese elderly edentulous patients, IODs are still not common despite improved patient satisfaction and quality-of-life (QoL). The aim of this study was to evaluate patients’ economic preferences for two different tooth replacement strategies; IODs compared with conventional complete dentures (CDs), using a willingness-to-pay (WTP) analysis.
Methods: Elderly edentulous patients rehabilitated with either CDs or IODs were invited to participate in this study. All patients were provided with detailed information regarding advantages, disadvantages, treatment costs, and the two treatment protocols. Patients were asked to indicate their maximum WTP for each protocol in a series of hypothetical scenarios using the payment card method for contingency evaluation.
Results: Twenty-seven patients with a median age of 74.0 years participated in the study. Patients were divided into two groups according to their previous treatment experience: CD-Group (n=15) and IOD-Group (n=12). Both study groups revealed higher WTP values for the CD therapy [CD-Group: ¥50,000 (IQR: 40,000 – 65,000), IOD-Group: ¥45,000 (IQR: 30,000 - 85,000)] than the stated market costs [¥30,000]. For IOD therapy, both groups indicated lower maximum WTP values [CD-Group: ¥500,000 (IQR: 300,000 - 750,000), IOD-Group: ¥700,000 (IQR: 500,000 - 800,000)] than the market cost [¥780,000].
Conclusions: Despite the advantages of IODs in terms of patient comfort, satisfaction, and improved QoL, the Japanese elderly edentulous patients who participated in this study did not appear to value IOD treatment at a level equivalent to current market values. Patient preferences along with a clear illustration of the treatment costs should be an integral aspect during the initial consultation visit. This will help patients to have a clear understanding of the economic burden associated with care as part of their decision making process.
Methods: Elderly edentulous patients rehabilitated with either CDs or IODs were invited to participate in this study. All patients were provided with detailed information regarding advantages, disadvantages, treatment costs, and the two treatment protocols. Patients were asked to indicate their maximum WTP for each protocol in a series of hypothetical scenarios using the payment card method for contingency evaluation.
Results: Twenty-seven patients with a median age of 74.0 years participated in the study. Patients were divided into two groups according to their previous treatment experience: CD-Group (n=15) and IOD-Group (n=12). Both study groups revealed higher WTP values for the CD therapy [CD-Group: ¥50,000 (IQR: 40,000 – 65,000), IOD-Group: ¥45,000 (IQR: 30,000 - 85,000)] than the stated market costs [¥30,000]. For IOD therapy, both groups indicated lower maximum WTP values [CD-Group: ¥500,000 (IQR: 300,000 - 750,000), IOD-Group: ¥700,000 (IQR: 500,000 - 800,000)] than the market cost [¥780,000].
Conclusions: Despite the advantages of IODs in terms of patient comfort, satisfaction, and improved QoL, the Japanese elderly edentulous patients who participated in this study did not appear to value IOD treatment at a level equivalent to current market values. Patient preferences along with a clear illustration of the treatment costs should be an integral aspect during the initial consultation visit. This will help patients to have a clear understanding of the economic burden associated with care as part of their decision making process.