Trends in Home-visit Dental Care over a 26-year Period

―Number of Cases and Calculated Costs―

Abstract

　Objective：To obtain basic information on the state of home-visit dental care, we investigated changes in dental fee items related to home-visit dental care, the number of calculations of major items and new dental technologies, and changes in dental costs over a 26-year period.

　Materials and Methods：Changes in dental fee items related to home-visit dental care over the 26-year period from 1996 to 2021 were examined using the Social Medical Practice Survey. Changes in the number of fees and costs for major items with continuity（dental visiting fees, rehabilitation-related items）and items related to dental visiting that were recently adopted as new medical technology（fluoride application, specialized oral hygiene treatment, oral mucosa treatment for parenteral intake patients）were investigated.

　Results：Dental visit-related items have been enhanced by the introduction of various management fees. The number of home-visit fees increased rapidly from 2008, and increased even more rapidly with the addition of home-visit fee 3 in 2013. The number of patients receiving dysphagia rehabilitation has continued to increase since 1996, with a sharp increase around 2011. The number for new medical technologies such as fluoride application to tooth surface, specialized oral hygiene procedures, and oral mucosa treatment for parenteral patients was very small.

　Discussion：Although the number of dental visits has been steadily increasing at a rate faster than the increase in the number of older patients requiring nursing care, the newly introduced medical technologies have not necessarily spread widely enough. It is suggested that it is important to improve the guidelines issued by this Society and the Japanese Dental Association for the dissemination of these technologies.

　Conclusion：In the Social Medical Practice Survey, although the number of dental visits and medical costs have steadily increased as a result of the introduction of various management fees, newly adopted medical technologies need further enhancement.