Cost analysis of patients treated with fixed and twin block appliances : part 2

Abstract

A person’s quality of life (QoL) can be affected with poor oral health.1 Measurement of oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) helps professionals clarify the role of oral health status on the overall quality of life.2 It also assists in clinical decisions taking into account patients’ needs and serves as an effective communication mechanism with policy makers.3,4 Consequently modern healthcare systems should address patient’s health complaints, taking into consideration the impact of patients’ illness on quality of life.5 Modern dental procedures endeavour to improve patients’ quality of life. Orthodontic treatment based on purely clinical and functional perceptions may not fully address patients’ concerns. Patients and their parents have been shown to share similar treatment expectations, although parents reported more realistic prospects. Ethnicity significantly influences expectations for orthodontic treatment, and this may relate to differences in the patients’ and parents’ assessment of the clinical outcome. In the previous paper (part 1), the impact of fixed and Twin block appliances on. OHRQoL was assessed, both groups demonstrated significant improvement toward the end of the treatment. However, in the current paper the economic analysis for Twin block and fixed appliances was performed. Economic evaluation is widely used and well accepted in the appraisal of health care. However in the field of orthodontics, there have been relatively few economic analyses performed.