Dentists' Viewpoint of Dental Benefit Beneath Social Security Scheme.

Abstract

This descriptive study using mailed questionnaire was to explore dentists' perception and opinion about dental benefit beneath Social Security Scheme. 15 % of 5,800 questionnaires to all members of Thai Dental Council were responded. Five parts of the questionnaires were 1) general information of a respondent 2) dental service data 3) perception about dental benefit 4) opinion and suggestion and 5) private dental price.

57% of respondents were female. Their mean age was 35.8 years and mean work age was 11.2. Most respondents worked as general practitioners. Their understanding about the benefit was in moderate level. Most of them understood the scheme relating to dentist himself and could practice following the Social Security Office's rule. Work sector was found significant relation to understanding the benefit (95 % CI). However, the respondents could not fully inform or advise the insured according to lack of thoroughly knowledge of dental benefit.

Between 1 January - 30 October 1998, comparing to general recipients, the insured utilized dental treatment in low proportion. Private dentists reported that they served the insured more than both public and private dentist, and public dentist. 2.7% of whole dentists treated the insured more than a half of total recipients. Most private dental facilities charged the insured as general recipients whereas flexible price was used instead in public sector. It was also found that the price schedule in Bangkok and peripheral areas was higher than that in other provinces. Learning experience between public and private sectors was passed through dentists. Dentists who worked in both public and private facilities took more benefit from out patient card and provided mobile dental treatment in the higher percent comparing to private dentists. Comparing to dentist profession and themselves, most dentists considered that the benefit was more useful to the insured. Common problems of the scheme according to a half of dentists' experience, were the misunderstanding of the insured and of providers, and reimbursement system. In addition, a number of suggestions to improve the scheme were identified.