J Korean Acad Pediatr Dent.  2026 May;53(2):164-177. 10.5933/JKAPD.2026.53.2.164.

Awareness and Satisfaction of Korean Dentists Toward the 2024 Revised Relative Value Unit Incentives for Patients with Disabilities

• Song JS
• Lee SJ
• Lee KE
• Kang CM
• Choi HJ
• Song JS
• Cheong J
• Lee JH

• KMID: 2581095
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5933/JKAPD.2026.53.2.164

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess dentists’ awareness of Korea’s April 2024 expansion of the additional fee based on Relative Value Units (RVU) for disability dental care (coverage expanded from 17 to 88 procedures, RVU increases up to 300%) and to examine how this awareness was related to satisfaction and implementation intentions. Online surveys were sent to the members of the Korean Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the Korean Association for Disability and Oral Health and responses from 209 dentists were collected. Awareness and satisfaction were assessed using chi-square tests, and group differences were tested using the Kruskal–Wallis test with Bonferroni-adjusted post hoc comparisons. Awareness of the RVU increases was high, while recognition of the expanded items lagged behind. Residents and university hospitals had significantly higher awareness than employed dentists and private clinics, respectively, indicating group differences in information diffusion. Administrative satisfaction was generally neutral, with the highest dissatisfaction regarding the disability verification process. The most frequent request was for the automation and simplification of the disability verification procedure. Meanwhile, more than half of the dentists (61.2%) intended to increase the proportion of disability care, with one in three (38.3%) clinics planning to add equipment. In sum, positive perceptions and intentions coexist with information and workflow barriers. Closing the information gaps and simplifying procedures could accelerate the impact of the RVU-based reform and promote broader, more equitable access to dental care for people with disabilities.

Keyword

Disabled persons; Dental care for disabled persons; Health services accessibility; Relative value scales; Health policy