Comparing the quality and cost of pediatric dental procedures in different care settings

Comparing Quality of Care for Pediatric Dental Procedures Conducted in Ambulatory Surgical Centers and Hospital Outpatient Departments

NIH-funded research Rand Corporation · NIH-10686909

This study is looking at whether kids who need dental surgery under general anesthesia, especially those with health issues, might get better and cheaper care at special surgery centers instead of hospitals, to help make sure they get the best treatment possible.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionRand Corporation NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Santa Monica, United States)
Project IDNIH-10686909 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates whether ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) provide a more cost-effective and high-quality option for pediatric dental surgeries compared to hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs). It focuses on children who require dental procedures under general anesthesia, particularly those with underlying health conditions. By analyzing data on costs and quality indicators such as timely access to care and safety outcomes, the study aims to identify the best care setting for these vulnerable patients. The findings could help improve access to necessary dental care while ensuring high standards of treatment.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children who require dental surgical procedures under general anesthesia, especially those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Not a fit: Patients who do not require surgical dental procedures or those who can receive care in a traditional dental office setting may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more affordable and accessible dental surgical options for children, particularly those with special health care needs.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have indicated that ASCs may offer comparable or superior quality of care for adult and elderly populations, but this research focuses specifically on pediatric patients, making it a novel approach.

Where this research is happening

Santa Monica, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.