The Effect of Funding Cuts on the Utilization of an Oral Pathology Diagnostic Service

International Journal of Oral Science volume 1, pages151–155(2009)Cite this article

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Abstract

Aim

To examine what impact the loss of funding had on the utilization of the oral pathology service.

Methodology

Biopsy records were retrieved and examined in the two year period before and after the elimination of the subsidies in 2003.

Results

After the loss of funding, there was a 31% decrease in the number of specimens submitted from practitioners in private practice, with the greatest drop noted in submissions from endodontists.

Conclusion

Despite the immediate decrease in the number of biopsies submitted after the introduction of fee‐for‐service, the number of specimens being submitted appears to be on the rise again, as practitioners appear to recognize the value of a specialized oral pathology diagnostic service.

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Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

    • Deepika Chugh
    • , R John McComb
    •  & David Mock

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Corresponding author

Correspondence to David Mock.

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Cite this article

Chugh, D., McComb, R. & Mock, D. The Effect of Funding Cuts on the Utilization of an Oral Pathology Diagnostic Service. Int J Oral Sci 1, 151–155 (2009) doi:10.4248/IJOS.09032

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Keywords

  • oral pathology
  • diagnostic services
  • funding

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