Can you afford to smile? The Economic disparities in oral health care provision

Authors

  • Leanne Sykes Head of Department of Prosthodontics, University of Pretoria https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2002-6238
  • Amelia Cronje Department of Prosthodontics, University of Pretoria
  • Idah Mmutlana Specialist, Department of Prosthodontics, University of Pretoria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/2519-0105/2022/v77no2a9

Keywords:

psycho-social

Abstract

Tooth loss can have a negative impact on a patient’s quality of life. However, many patients cannot afford the treatment necessary to restore their dentition optimally. Their final choice may be dictated by what they can afford rather than consideration of the advantages, disadvantages or biological sacrifices associated with proposed options. At the same time, clinicians often express feelings of helplessness and stress when confronted with having to decide on, and provide treatment that is within the patient’s financial means, rather than according to what they deem to be “best practice”. This paper uses a patient case to illustrate how the four-principle approach proposed by Beauchamps and Childress (1983) can be used during treatment planning, and to justify the final decision making process.

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Author Biography

  • Leanne Sykes, Head of Department of Prosthodontics, University of Pretoria



References

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Published

2022-03-31

How to Cite

Can you afford to smile? The Economic disparities in oral health care provision. (2022). South African Dental Journal, 77(02), 104-106. https://doi.org/10.17159/2519-0105/2022/v77no2a9

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