An Analysis of Pediatric Dentistry Residents' Productivity in the Operating Room.

PURPOSE: To analyze productivity of pediatric dental residents (PDRs) in the operating room (OR) and to determine predictors of case length. METHODS: Service-mix for OR cases completed between 2010 and 2013 were converted to relative value units (RVUs). Additional information, including patients' age, gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) status, number of teeth, and operation time was retrieved. Analysis entailed descriptive, correlational, and multivariable techniques. RESULTS: Eight PDRs completed 893 OR cases. First-year residents (FYRs) completed more complex cases than second-year residents (SYRs), as determined by total RVUs and number of teeth. However, SYRs were more productive, as determined by RVUs per minute. Productivity for all PDRs increased on average by 33 percent during the program, with an average of 0.39 versus 0.59 RVUs per minute during the first versus the last quarters. Case complexity - measured in total RVUs per case - was associated with number of teeth and operation time, while patients' age and ASA status were not significantly associated with case complexity in the final regression model. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical productivity of PDRs increased over the two-year period, with a wide variation demonstrating a differential learning curve on different individuals. A significant association between case complexity, number of teeth, and operation time was found.