A cost analysis estimation of a single episode of comprehensive dental treatment under general anaesthesia for adults with disabilities

Background The provision of dental treatment for adults with disabilities may require the use of general anaesthesia, provided in a hospital setting. Aims To estimate the costs of an episode of dental general anaesthesia (DGA) for adults with disabilities in Ireland. Design A mixed method cost analysis estimation using top-down and bottom-up cost estimation methods. Setting Dublin Dental University Hospital, Ireland. Materials and methods A cost estimate for dental treatment provided under GA for adult patients with disabilities from the Dublin Dental University Hospital service in 2013 was performed. A mixed method costing analysis was used. Top-down costing estimates for the general hospital costs, and bottom-up dental costing estimates, were used to produce a total cost per patient. Results The average cost, per patient, for day-case dental general anaesthesia for adults with disabilities was estimated as (sic)2,242.87 (approximately 1,914.96) pound. For cases that involved an overnight stay, an additional cost of (sic)1,213 (approximately 1,035.66) pound was incurred. Discussion The cost estimate provided confirms that DGA in Ireland is an expensive treatment modality. The cost estimation created in this study can act as a national estimate, in the absence of a service-specific cost analysis. Conclusions This study demonstrates that DGA is an expensive, albeit necessary, treatment modality in Ireland.