A study on resource based relative value scale of dental procedures in Taiwan

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the Resource Based Relative Value Scale of dental procedures (D-RBRVS) in Taiwan in order to establish a model of resource-input for medical services. Methods: The formula for our procedure cost was "D-RBRVS = the RVS of dentists' workload + the RVS of drug and material costs + the RVS of other operating costs". We readjusted the three RVSs to a common scale and set up the D-RBRVS by dental cost structure and service volume. We then investigated the opinions of dental specialists and evaluated the correlation between our D-RBRVS and the dentistry payment scheme of the National Health Insurance (NHI). We also adjusted the D-RBRVS in a monetary base and compared with it the payment scheme of the NHI. Results: The Resource Based Relative Value Scale for 79 dental procedures were established. The views of dental specialists were significantly correlated with our D-RBRVS. The results also correlated fairly well with the current dental payment schedule of the NHI. However, there were differences between the monetary-base D-RBRVS and the payment scheme of NHI for some services. Conclusions: The high acceptance of our D-RBRVS by dental specialists suggests that the parameters of dentists' workload, cost of medications and supplies, and time required for procedures establishes a reasonable basis for evaluating resources. The current NHI dental fee schedule also fairly well matched the D-RBRVS of the 79 procedures. The monetary-base D-RBRVS can be a reference for adjustment of the NHI dental payment system in the future.