Costing of dental services in individually owned dental clinics in Nairobi County

Date
2016
Authors
Ochieng, Eric Odhiambo
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Strathmore University
Abstract
Back ground: There is very limited relevant literature on costing of dental services globally and hardly any in the sub-Saharan Africa. In Kenya, there is no empirical data available to inform decision on appropriate pricing of dental services. This study thus aimed at generating information on costs and pricing determinants for dental services in order to inform policy on pricing of dental services in Kenya. Methodology This was mainly a costing study. Provider perspective was preferred. Two facilities were purposively sampled based on physical size. Facility A was the larger facility, and Facility B the smaller facility. A bottom-up approach to costing was adopted and cost components categorized into recurrent and capital costs. Results and conclusion The cost estimates for the dentals services for facility A and B respectively were: KSh.3,596 and KSh.4,095 for a root canal treatment, KSh.2,070 and KSh.1,874 for a dental filling, KShs.1,922 and KSh.1,888 for scaling, and KSh.1,625 and KSh.1,536 for a tooth extraction.. Comparisons between estimated costs of specific dental services and prices charged for the respective services at the facilities mostly revealed huge mark ups. This information on cost estimates is crucial if dental services are to be priced accurately to assure that dentists practice profitably and patients are charged fairly
Description
Keywords
Dental, Dental clinics, Nairobi County, Healthcare, costing
Citation