Survey results of reduced-fee and free-of-charge dental services by the membership of the Federation of Special Care Organizations in Dentistry.

Abstract

In 1996, a questionnaire was mailed to all members of the Federation of Special Care Organizations in Dentistry (FSCO) in an attempt to learn more about their professional practices. Questions focused primarily on the amount of free and reduced-fee dentistry that the membership provided to the public. The questionnaire asked respondents to identify their field of practice; estimate the amount of time, the number of patients, and the monetary value of the dentistry provided; as well as to classify the types of patients to whom they provided these dental services for free or at reduced fees. Each of the FSCO respondents reported providing an average of $14,820 in free dentistry in 1995. Not surprisingly, the respondents reported treating a significant number of special-needs patients. Members also reported spending 31.0% of their clinical time working at reduced fees and 7.4% of the time working for free. This questionnaire revealed that the Federation of Special Care member respondents are donating a significant amount of dentistry and treating a large segment of special-needs patients.