Reimbursing dentists for smoking cessation treatment: views from dental insurers.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Screening and delivery of evidence-based interventions by dentists is an effective way to reduce tobacco use. However, dental visits remain an underutilized opportunity for the treatment of tobacco dependence. This is, in part, because the current reimbursement structure does not support expansion of dental providers' role in this arena. The purpose of this study was to interview dental insurers to assess attitudes toward tobacco use treatment in dental practice, pros and cons of offering dental provider reimbursement, and barriers to instituting a tobacco use treatment-related payment policy for dental providers.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 dental insurance company executives. Participants were identified using a targeted sampling

SUBMITTER: Shelley D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3457710 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature