The impact of an objective measure of need on orthodontic care in NI
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A comparative analysis of the impact on disparities in oral healthcare use of the introduction of an objective measure of treatment need in orthodontics.
IRAS ID
230681
Contact name
Ciaran O'Neill
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Previous work undertaken by the CI published in 2011 highlighted the existence of a sharp socio-economic gradient in the use of orthodontic care among children and adolescents in Northern Ireland. In 2014 an objective measure of treatment need was introduced in Northern Ireland to ensure a more rational use of public services. This has the potential to reduce disparities in uptake among children and adolescents of orthodontic services. It also has the potential to encourage dentists to adjust their provision of care in other ways to compensate for income lost in providing orthodontic services to children. This work will examine changing patterns of service use in the aftermath of the policy change by socio-economic group to assess the impact of the policy change and identify whether and what adjustments might be required.
REC name
HSC REC B
REC reference
17/NI/0144
Date of REC Opinion
16 Aug 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion