Analysis of the costs of treating dry socket

Background: Dry socket is a disturbance in the healing of tooth extraction, characterized by the absence of blood clot and persistence of intense pain. The aim of this study was to determine the costs of treating dry socket, as in Serbia, until now, there has been no adequate estimation of the expenses and cost structure for treating patients with dry socket. Material and Methods: The costs of treating dry socket were analyzed on the sample of 455 adults with confirmed diagnosis of dry socket. All the patients were treated at the Oral Surgery Department, Institute of Dental Medicine in Kragujevac, during 2012. Direct costs per patient, concerning the acquisition of medicines and medical supplies, as well as medical services, were recorded in accordance with the Blue Code Book of the National Health Insurance Fund. Results: Out of total 12.652 teeth extracted, 455patients (3.6%) were diagnosed with dry socket. Total direct cost for treating dry socket in 2012 was 1.298,58 ± 468.93 RSD per patient, of which 1.065,16 RSD ± 394.49 RSD (82.02%) was the total price of the service and 1. 298,58 ± 468.93 RSD (17.98%) was spent on dental supplies. Conclusion: The actual cost of treating dry socket in Serbia shows that there is a need for the implementation of the relevant preventive measures. Global economic crisis, worsens the constant lack of available resources in dental healthcare services. Dry socket, as one of the most frequent post-extraction complications, although quite harmless in terms of clinical prognosis represents substantial economic loss for Serbia.