Introducing value-based healthcare in the oral health sector

As the lead public oral health agency in Victoria, Dental Health Services Victoria is transitioning to a model of care that reflects the principles of value-based healthcare. By co-designing a new system in partnership with our consumers and staff, we are driving better health outcomes and experiences for patients.

“Only one in four eligible people accessed public dental services in 2015–16, with another 6% of eligible people waiting for care.”

A NEW MODEL OF CARE

In February 2017, we started developing a model for value-based oral healthcare. We hosted a series of workshops with academics and researchers, clinicians, senior management and consumers. We worked with them to map out the current state of emergency and general care at the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne (RDHM). We then mapped out the ideal state (what it would look like with no financial or operational restraints) followed by a more realistic future state.

The new model focused on five key areas:

• achieving the best health outcomes at the lowest cost

• creating a patient-centred system organised around what patients need

• ensuring the right services are being provided by the right person at the right locations

• integrating care across separate facilities

• measuring outcomes and costs for every patient. The model comprised eight key elements (see diagram) with consumer engagement and co-design being at the centre of the model.

Our new model of care will continue to evolve, but we will continue to keep the goal in sight—creating an oral health system that improves the health outcomes that matter to patients so they can live happier and healthier lives.