Original Title: Suun terveydenhuollon teknologia

Authors' objectives:

The purpose of this study is to outline the need for technology assessment in the field of oral health care in Finland. By interviewing experts, the aim was to find themes suitable for technology assessment, meeting the FinOHTA assessment criteria and which could be researched with FinOHTA's support. In addition to this, the transfer of research information in oral health care technology to practical level in Finland was examined, and information about various data systems was collected from oral health care assessment studies published previously.

Authors' results and conclusions: The interviewees regarded oral health care technology assessment and the transfer of information as necessary and important. Various potential subjects of assessment studies were suggested. The most commonly quoted assessment themes were matters concerning the division of labour, the targeting ofcaries-preventing measures and the issues associated with orthodontics. As a rule, the interviewees considered it necessary to enhance the dissemination of information about research data, and some people made proposals for improvement. Many people pointed out examples for either excessive or inadequate uses of treatment methods.

Authors' recommendations: Assessment information is rather slow in affecting clinical practices. The enhancement of communication may be promoted by the national health care technology assessment units, whose tasks include informing about assessment studies. Moreover, agreement on care recommendations and their broader implementation as well as making use of specific assessment databases will intensify the transfer of research data to practical work. FinOHTA could act as one unit disseminating information about assessment in oral health care. The interviews of oral health care experts did not disclose any apparent or coherent lines whereby to direct assessment studies. The job and position of the interviewees affected their opinions. The study also showed that while not many actual assessment studies have been carried out in Finland, some studies are at their early stages, and that the awareness of the assessment studies conducted in other countries is poor in Finland.

Authors' methods: Survey

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 1997

URL for published report: http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe201210159429

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Finland

Organisation Name: Finnish Coordinating Center for Health Technology Assessment

Contact Address: Finnish Office for Health Care Technology Assessment (Finohta)

Contact Name: .

Contact Email: fincchta@ppshp.fi

Copyright: Finnish Office for Health Care Technology Assessment, 1997