Comparing the treatment provided by UK and non-UK trained health professionals: dentists in Scotland.

OBJECTIVES

To examine differences in the amount of treatment provided by UK and non-UK trained dentists in the Scottish National Health Service.

METHODS

Using a unique administrative data set, we utilize multivariate fixed effects regression models that control for patient characteristics and unobserved heterogeneity across dentists to explore the extent of treatment delivered.

RESULTS

Non-UK trained dentists initially provide more treatment than UK-trained dentists, but over approximately two years of practice their treatment converge.

CONCLUSIONS

As with many OECD countries, the UK relies on foreign-trained health professionals to address workforce shortages and one concern is whether they provide equivalent health care to their domestically trained counterparts. Whilst there is a difference in the amount of treatment provided by UK and non-UK trained dentists, the effect is modest and transitory.