Critical Reviews in Oral Biology & Medicine, Vol 8, 129-135, Copyright © 1997 by International & American Associations for Dental Research
Managed care and dental education and research: should academicians be concerned?
H. Bailit
Center for Health Services and Primary Care Research, School of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington 06030, USA.
This paper examines the restructuring of the delivery system resulting from
managed care. As HMOs consolidate to a few large companies in urban areas,
they put great pressure on medical providers to reduce their costs and
excess delivery capacity. In this environment, academic health centers face
serious problems, because HMOs are reluctant to pay their higher charges,
and public educational subsidies are declining. Managed care is unlikely to
have the same impact on dentistry. Although managed dental care is growing,
most Americans will not be enrolled, since they do not have dental
insurance. Also, the supply of dentists is starting to decline, increasing
the relative demand for dental services. Managed care will have only a
limited direct impact on most dental schools, but a significant indirect
effect. As academic health center budgets are reduced, all health
professional schools can expect to contribute to solving the financial
problems of University hospitals and medical schools. The response of
dental academicians to these challenges will determine the future of dental
education and research for the next decade. Bold new initiatives are needed
to find new sources of revenue to support educational and research
programs.
