일부 지역아동센터 아동에 대한 치과주치의 사업 3년간의구강건강상태, 진료 및 비용 분석

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the trends and progress in oral health status, dental serviceitems, and fees among children receiving community-based registered dental care over a three-yearperiod. Methods: The study subjects were selected from nine community children centers in J district of S city,in the Korean province of Gyeonggi-do. The sample included 222 children who had received care in2011 and 2012, and 205 children, in 2013. The dependent variables were oral health status (df indexand decayed-missing-filled teeth index), dental service items (total number of visits and dental fillingsby type), and dental fees (total fees, National Health Insurance [NHI] coverage, and NHI non-coverage),analyzed by year. The percentages of dental caries and dental service items were tested using chisquareanalysis, and the mean of each variable, including dental fees, was tested using the Kruskal-Wallis method, owing to non-parametric distribution. Results: There was a statistically significant decrease in the rate of dental clinic visits for treatment, andan increase in the mean numbers of filled teeth and sealants performed per year. The rate and numberof dental fillings increased steadily, whereas the services for oral health promotion and preventionwere decreased. The number of dental visits and the total fees decreased steeply, especially within thesecond half of the last measured year: around 90,000 earned within that time, compared to 170,000earned during the first year. Conclusions: Dental clinic visits should be encouraged on a regular basis for oral health promotion andprevention by both patients and providers using capitation payment systems, for example. It is necessaryto monitor and provide training for all related staff by developing a manual for oral health examinationand treatment, adjusted for the registered dental system. Policy measures addressing the needsof vulnerable social groups are needed more than ever. Therefore, it is important to provide as muchtargeted support and training to the registered dental system as possible.