Dental utilization and expenditures in Korea Health Panel Survey, 2008-2011

Jung,  Se-Hwan

J Korean Dent Assoc > Volume 52(5); 2014 > Article

The Journal of The Korean Dental Association 2014;52(5):291-301.
Published online May 31, 2014.

한국의료패널의 치과외래 이용 및 의료비 지출에 대한 4년간(2008-2011)의 변화추이

정세환

강릉원주대학교 치과대학 예방치학교실 및 구강과학연구소

Dental utilization and expenditures in Korea Health Panel Survey, 2008-2011

Se-Hwan Jung

Department of Preventive and Public Health Dentistry, College of Dentistry, Gangneung-Wonju National University & Research Institute of Oral Science

Abstract

Korea Health Panel Survey (KHPS) has been conducted to provide nationally representative estimates of health care use and expenditures for non-institutionalized population in Korea since 2008. The aim of this study was to present estimates from KHPS on dental utilization and expenditures from 2008 to 2011. While weighted estimates were presented for each year from 2008 to 2011, the focus of this study was on the 2011 estimates and changes in dental utilization and expenditures between 2008 and 2011. Weighted estimates were obtained using population weights and statistical significances were analysed by independent t-test or ANOVA test using SPSS version 20 for Windows. In 2011, 21.1% of Korean population obtained outpatient dental services from dentists. From 2008 to 2011, the percent of people with a dental visit in each year increased slightly. In 2011, the mean number of dental visits was 4.46. While the mean number of dental visits remained stable by 2010, it increased slightly in 2011. The total annual dental expense in 2011 for people with a visit was about 460,000 Korean Won and 10% higher in 2008. In summary, this study results highlight low rates of dental utilization and high dental expenses in Korean population.

Key Words: dental expenditures;dental utilization;Korea Health Panel Survey (KHPS);