Service Delivery Models and Activity-Based Costs of Dental Services for Children Aged 0–12 Years: A Case Study of Chiang Mai Province, Thailand

Abstract

This mixed-methods study aimed to examine the service delivery models and activity-based costs of dental services for children aged 0–12 years at Hang Dong Hospital, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. The study consisted of two phases. In the first phase, the service delivery model was explored through purposive sampling of eight oral healthcare providers. Data were collected using a semi-structured focus group interview and analyzed by content analysis. In the second phase, service delivery costs were examined from the provider's perspective using fiscal year 2024 cost data. Cost information was collected using a cost-recording form and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings revealed as follows.

1. The service delivery model for dental care among children aged 0–12 years differed between facility-based and community-based settings. In healthcare facilities, dentists were the primary providers of clinical dental services, including oral examinations, dental restorations, and scaling, while dental nurses provided support for less complex procedures. In outreach settings, dental nurses served as the primary providers, focusing mainly on oral health promotion and disease prevention activities, such as fluoride application and oral health education.

2. The total direct cost of providing dental services for children aged 0–12 years was 13,605,650.19 Thai Baht (THB). Labor costs accounted for THB 12,289,893.58 (90.33%), material costs for THB 750,591.28 (5.52%), and capital (equipment) costs for THB 565,165.33 (4.15%). The total cost of facility-based oral health promotion and disease prevention activities was THB 486,124.69, with an average cost of THB 71.51 per visit. The total cost of community-based oral health promotion and disease prevention activities was THB 1,398,628.12, with an average cost of THB 75.74 per visit. The total cost of oral health promotion and disease prevention projects was THB 793,466.88, with an average cost of THB 99.52 per activity.

The findings provide evidence for planning budget allocation, resource management, and workforce deployment in accordance with actual service costs. Such information may help reduce financial losses incurred by healthcare organizations and serve as baseline data for future economic evaluations of oral health promotion and disease prevention programs.