| Title: |
Optimal Design of Financial Rebates to Encourage Dental Visits |
| Authors: |
Tan, Sharon HX; Wang, Yi; Gao, Xiaoli; Gallagher, Jennifer Elizabeth; Listl, Stefan; Teerawattananon, Yot; Cook, Alex |
| Source: |
Tan, S HX, Wang, Y, Gao, X, Gallagher, J E, Listl, S, Teerawattananon, Y & Cook, A 2026, 'Optimal Design of Financial Rebates to Encourage Dental Visits', Journal of Dentistry, vol. 164, 106237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2025.106237 |
| Publication Year: |
2026 |
| Collection: |
King's College, London: Research Portal |
| Description: |
Objectives The study seeks to assess the extent to which various levels of financial rebates affect the uptake of dental services. Methods A total of 4400 adults from the Singapore Population Health Study were invited by mail to participate in a four-group experimental study. Each group was invited to complete a survey and offered a rebate (SGD $10, $20, $30, $50) for visiting a dental professional. The effect of rebates on dental uptake was assessed through modified Poisson regression and by tabulating average marginal effects. Subgroup analyses were carried out by sociodemographic factors. Log-log regression was carried out to assess rebate elasticity. Results The overall survey response rate was 25.7 % (n = 1132). Dental uptake rates varied from 25.5 % (n = 65) for a $10 rebate to 35.4 % (n = 111) for a $50 rebate. Compared to a $10 rebate, $30 and $50 rebates were associated with a higher likelihood of dental uptake (Adjusted Prevalence Ratio (Adj. PR) 1.33 (95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.04 – 1.71) and 1.38 (95 % CI 1.08 – 1.76) respectively), and higher predicted probabilities of dental uptake by 9.0 and 10.3 percentage points respectively. Rebates of $30 and above were associated with higher uptake rates among irregular dental attendees (Adj. PR 1.72 (95 % CI 1.08 – 2.74) and those staying in smaller public housing flats (Adj. PR 1.68 (95 % CI 1.07 – 2.66). The rebate elasticity was 0.36 (95 % CI 0.22 - 0.49). Conclusions Financial rebates have a positive impact on the uptake of dental services, particularly among irregular dental attendees and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. |
| Document Type: |
article in journal/newspaper |
| File Description: |
application/pdf |
| Language: |
English |
| ISSN: |
0300-5712; 1879-176X |
| Relation: |
info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/0300-5712; info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1879-176X |
| DOI: |
10.1016/j.jdent.2025.106237 |
| Availability: |
https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/publications/de26bd3e-7214-42aa-9fd5-cc5ffef7c88d; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2025.106237; https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/ws/files/357518153/1-s2.0-S0300571225006827-main.pdf; https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105023977341 |
| Rights: |
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess ; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.B234E3B3 |
| Database: |
BASE |