Health Technology Assessment of CAD/CAM in Dentistry

Introduction: Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) are the latest achievements of Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry. The aim of this research is to help make appropriate decision whether to use this technology in Iran. Methods: Studies were included in this review that compared Dental CAD/CAM with conventional restorative methods in terms of safety, efficacy and cost-effectiveness using Cochrane Library, CRD and Pub med. Results were analyzed using qualitative methods. Results: Six articles were used. Different indices of effectiveness in two types of application were found through the studies. Total failure rate for dental inlays was obtained as 0, 2.6% in 3 studies during a 4-year period and 1.75% in a 7-year period. It was 0.53% and 3.61% in two studies for prosthesis. Five-year survival rate for dental inlays was obtained from 91.6% to 100% and for prosthesis 72.2% to 100% in two studies. In terms of cost-effectiveness ratio of this technique compared to traditional methods, using ceramics fabricated along with chair side CAD/CAM is higher than traditional method; thus using it provides higher cost-effectiveness ratio than restoration by gold. Conclusion: This technology seems to be safe and effective and if this application is performed by specialists in the field of prosthetics, it will have favorable results. Although this HTA study confirmed the cost effectiveness of the dental CAD/CAM, economic evaluation of the technology in Iran is recommended for the future

Establishment of Health Technology Assessment in Iran

Objective: Health Technology Assessment (HTA) aims at informing healthcare policymakers, managers and practitioners of the "clinical consequences, but also the economic, ethical, and other social implications of the diffusion and use of a specific procedure or technique on medical practice". So considering the policy-oriented nature of HTA that calls for a close integration into the functioning and governance of health systems the present study focuses on executive processes and function of the HTA office of Iran. Materials and methods: Data of this review study were collected through documented sources and observations from 2007 to 2010. Results: Health Technology Assessment began its activities as a secretariat in the Deputy of Health in 2007 and it continues as a Health Technology Assessment Office at the Management of Health Technology Assessment, Standardization, and Tariff at the Deputy of curative affairs of MOHME in the beginning of 2010.14 Technology of modern medical equipment and 8 pharmaceutical medicine are assessed, Now many of measures for HTA establishment  such as cooperation National Institute of Health Research (NIHR), Holding scientific committee meetings, Establishing  the  Master's degree of  health technology assessment ,Building capacities for health technology assessment through education in major universities of the country. Conclusion: pay attention to health technology assessment, selection and application of proper technologies in the frameworks of policy-making and managerial strategies and make efforts to develop it with the support of the governmental in Iran is necessary