Abstract :
Background : A retrospective analysis was undertaken to assess the recent trends in dental visits among socially insured group to a referral centre.
Methods : The data was collected retrospectively from records and dental database of Employee state insurance unit of a referral centre in Karnataka from February 20, 2018 to March 10, 2018. A total of 558 study subjects’ data was recorded. Depending upon the nature of the data, the statistical tests were chosen according to SPSS. P value 0.005 was considered significant.
Results: The minimum age was 4 and maximum was 75 with a mean and standard deviation of 32.27±12.90 years. There were 311(55.7%) males and 247(44.3%) females. A total of 321 (57.5%) of study subjects were self -benefited and 237(42.5%) were dependent of the employee. Out of the total 558 study subject’s majority 126 (22.6%) were referred for chronic apical periodontitis followed by 109(19.5%). Most of the subjects 188(33.7%) were treated for root canal. The minimum cost of the treatment received by the beneficiary was Rs. 240 and maximum was Rs.18055 with mean and standard deviation of Rs.2842.25±1939.8 respectively for the study subjects There was a strong significant association seen with cost and diagnosis of all dental diseases p>0.000 and cost and treatment of diseases p>0.000.
Conclusion : The insurance coverage was beneficial to the subjects as it has reduced the burden of cost borne by the individual alone. Furthermore, it has made the treatment easily accessible, encouraging individuals to take treatment at the early stage, thus reducing the inequality
Keyword :
Insurance, Finance, ESI, Dental services, Health sector