Stokes R O, Cautley A J, Treasure E T
Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin.
N Z Dent J. 1993 Jul;89(397):77-80.
A 50 percent random sample of practising dentists in New Zealand was invited to complete a questionnaire aimed at determining their opinions on the effects of changes to Accident Compensation Corporation regulations on dental practice and patient access to treatment. Seventy-six percent of those surveyed returned the survey form. The results suggested that the introduction of a fee schedule for dental treatment in 1989 restricted practitioners' treatment decisions, and prevented some patients from receiving what was considered to be ideal care, largely on the basis of cost. Although the scheduled fee did not always cover the cost of treatment, many practitioners absorbed this shortfall. However, since the 15 percent cut in fees payed by ACC, which was introduced in 1992, practitioners are now finding it necessary to charge the patient for the amount not covered by ACC. Dentists state that this is further restricting the kind of treatment they can provide, and that patients can afford. Some patients are now unable to have any treatment for dental injuries resulting from accidents as they cannot afford it. Some practitioners feel that the introduction of a fee schedule and the requirement of a patient contribution to treatment costs have had some positive effects, but the majority feel that significant barriers to treatment have been created by the ACC changes.
新西兰50%的执业牙医被邀请填写一份调查问卷，旨在确定他们对意外事故赔偿公司（Accident Compensation Corporation，简称ACC）法规变化对牙科诊疗及患者获得治疗机会的影响的看法。76%的受访者返还了调查问卷。结果表明，1989年引入的牙科治疗收费表限制了从业者的治疗决策，并在很大程度上基于成本因素，导致一些患者无法获得被认为是理想的治疗。尽管规定的费用并不总是能覆盖治疗成本，但许多从业者自行承担了这一差额。然而，自1992年ACC削减15%的费用支付以来，从业者现在发现有必要向患者收取ACC未覆盖的金额。牙医表示，这进一步限制了他们能够提供的治疗种类以及患者能够承受的治疗范围。一些患者因无力承担费用，现在无法接受因事故导致的牙齿损伤的任何治疗。一些从业者认为引入收费表以及要求患者分担治疗费用产生了一些积极影响，但大多数人认为ACC的这些变化造成了重大的治疗障碍。
