Public dental waiting list episode—waiting list type, code N

Identifying and definitional attributes

• Health, Standard 02/08/2012

Public dental waiting times

Data element concept attributes

Identifying and definitional attributes

• ACT Health (retired), Candidate 08/08/2018
• Health, Standard 02/08/2012

Source and reference attributes

Value domain attributes

Identifying and definitional attributes

• ACT Health (retired), Candidate 08/08/2018
• Health, Standard 02/08/2012

Representational attributes

Collection and usage attributes

CODE 1   General dental care

The person is on a waiting list to receive general dental care. 'General dental care' is any examination and treatment relating to natural teeth and soft tissue resulting in a person being dentally fit, excluding specialist services and denture treatment.

CODE 2   Denture care

The person is on a waiting list to receive denture care. 'Denture care' is provision of full or partial dentures or other dental prosthetic devices for the full or partial restoration and/or maintenance of oral health, function and appearance.

CODE 3   Assessment

Source and reference attributes

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

Victorian Department of Human Services 2011. Public dental non-urgent care wait list policy. Victorian Department of Human Services, Melbourne. Viewed 17 August 2011, http://docs.health.vic.gov.au/docs/doc/Public-dental-non-urgent-care-wait-list-policy-July-2007

Data element attributes

Collection and usage attributes

Jurisdictions often maintain separate waiting lists for different categories of dental treatment. For example, a person waiting for dentures will be placed on a denture waiting list, while a person waiting for a check-up may be placed on a waiting list for general dental care. The lists are likely to have different waiting times so it is necessary to differentiate between lists.

The 'Assessment' code should only be used if the person is placed on a specific waiting list for assessment which is distinct from the waiting lists for general dental care or denture care. If the jurisdiction does not have a separate 'Assessment' waiting list, then waiting list episodes should be recorded using the 'General dental care' or 'Denture care' codes, even if an assessment to determine future treatment is included in the course of care.

The calculation of total waiting time will differ between jurisdictions that use an assessment waiting list and those that do not.

In cases where a person is on a waiting list for both general dental care and denture care—for example, a person with natural teeth requiring partial dentures is placed on a waiting list for denture care following completion of general care—this should be counted as two separate waiting list episodes.

In cases where a person is on a waiting list for combined general and denture care—that is, a person with natural teeth requiring partial denture treatment is given partial denture treatment within a course of general care without a person being placed on a denture waiting list—this should be counted as a single general care waiting list episode.

Source and reference attributes

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

Relational attributes