Hypothesis: Charges to Patients Impair the Quality of Dental Care for Elderly People

Data on National Health Service (NHS) dental care utilization by the elderly are analysed to consider the distribution of dental care according to the charge status of the patient. Considerable and significant differences are observed in the type and amount of dental care provided to elderly patients exempt and not exempt from patient charges. Consideration is given to alternative explanations of the observed distribution and the implications for the performance of the NHS with regard to objectives.