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Review Paper | Public Health | Volume 15 Issue 7, July 2026 | Pages: 2351 - 2354 | India
Beyond the Chairside: Health Economics in Dentistry and Its Role in Delivering Affordable, Equitable, and High-Value Oral Healthcare
Abstract: Oral diseases are among the most prevalent non-communicable diseases worldwide and impose a substantial clinical, social, and economic burden on individuals and healthcare systems. Rising treatment costs, limited insurance coverage, and high out-of-pocket expenditure have created significant barriers to accessing essential dental care, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Health economics provides a systematic framework for evaluating the costs, effectiveness, and value of dental interventions, thereby supporting efficient resource allocation and evidence-based decision-making. This narrative review aims to explore the role of health economics in improving the affordability, accessibility, and sustainability of oral healthcare. It discusses the economic burden of oral diseases, principles of health economics, economic evaluation methods, and the importance of value-based dentistry in optimizing healthcare outcomes. The review also highlights challenges related to healthcare financing, inequitable access to dental services, and the need for cost-effective preventive strategies. Furthermore, it emphasizes the growing role of economic evidence in guiding health policies, resource allocation, and clinical decision-making. Integrating health economic principles into dentistry can enhance the efficiency of oral healthcare systems, reduce financial barriers, and promote equitable access to quality dental services. Strengthening preventive care, adopting value-based approaches, and incorporating economic evaluation into policy and practice are essential for achieving sustainable and patient-centered oral healthcare.
Keywords: Health economics, Dentistry, Economic evaluation, Oral healthcare, Cost-effectiveness, Value-based dentistry, Oral health policy
How to Cite?: Dr. Madhu Yadav, Dr. Sugandha Agarwal, Dr. Anuradha P. , Dr. Shweta Singh, Dr. Khushboo Arif, "Beyond the Chairside: Health Economics in Dentistry and Its Role in Delivering Affordable, Equitable, and High-Value Oral Healthcare", Volume 15 Issue 7, July 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 2351-2354, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26727202727, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26727202727