Incentives and remuneration systems in dental services

Int J Health Care Finance Econ. 2009 Sep;9(3):259-78. doi: 10.1007/s10754-008-9050-2. Epub 2008 Dec 28.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of an incentive-based remuneration system on number of individuals under supervision and on quality of public dental services in Norway. The basis for the study was a natural experiment in which all public dental officers in one county were given the opportunity to renegotiate their contract from a fixed salary contract to a combined per capita and fixed salary contract. Comprehensive data were collected before and after the change. A main finding is that the transition to an incentive-based remuneration system led to an increase in the number of individuals under supervision without either a fall in quality or a patient selection effect.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Dental Health Services / economics*
  • Dentists / economics*
  • Dentists / trends
  • Fees, Dental*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Insurance, Dental / economics
  • Insurance, Dental / standards
  • Male
  • Models, Economic
  • Norway
  • Reimbursement, Incentive / economics*
  • Reimbursement, Incentive / trends
  • State Dentistry / economics*
  • State Dentistry / standards
  • State Dentistry / trends