Costing the Oral Health Care Package for South African Children

A basic oral health care package consisting of an examination, bitewing radiographs, cleaning of teeth, preventive measures including fissure sealants, basic curative services including emergency relief of pain and sepsis and promotive and primary preventive oral health services has been proposed for all children. Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the per capita cost per year (PCC) of delivering this package to children aged 4 to 15. Methods: The following databases were used in the calculation: treatment need expressed as the percentage of children and the average number of teeth needing care as determined by the National Children's Oral Health Survey (NCOHS): 1999-2002, South African Census 2001, National Reference Price List (NRPL) (2005) as used by the private sector,T he Uniform Patient Fee Schedule (UPFS) (2005) as used by the public sector. Results: PCC of delivering this package ranged from R282.21 (South African currency) for 12-year-olds (UPFS Category H2) to R560.67 for 6-year-olds (NRPL). The average PCC of treating 4- to 5-year-olds (primary dentition) was R370.56 and R383.01 for 6- to 15-year-olds (permanent dentition). The average PCC for treating all children aged 4 to 15 was R343.82. Conclusions: Although the results presented are for all children in South Africa, treatment needs vary greatly between provinces which will impact on the cost and budget for the treatment of dental caries. Despite the recommendation that the basic oral health care package should be delivered free of charge to all children, planners of health service should take note of the cost involved based on treatment needs as found in the NCOHS.