'Include dental care in the basic insurance, because avoidance of dental care causes more costs'
Published on: June 14, 2023
'Include dental care in the basic insurance, because avoidance of dental care causes more costs'
On Wednesday, June 14, 2023, Doctors of the World and the FNV will present the 'Black Book of Dental Care' to the House of Representatives in The Hague. It contains testimonials from people who avoid oral care because of the high costs. “In this way we show that there is a major national problem that requires a large-scale and structural solution,” says Hendrik Verschuur, chairman of the aid organization Doctors of the World.
Since 2006, oral care for adults has no longer been reimbursed due to rising healthcare costs. “At the dentist, market forces in healthcare and the purchasing power crisis, which we as FNV are both concerned with, come together,” says Kitty Jong, vice-chairman of FNV.
A survey among 28,000 FNV members in September last year showed that 18 percent of respondents visited the doctor and dentist less. A recent survey among 5,000 FNV members shows that healthcare costs are a financial problem among almost 65 percent of respondents. 17 percent indicated that health problems become worse due to avoidance; for dental problems this is even 26 percent. “And these are mainly working people. Perhaps you can already say that healthcare is inaccessible for low incomes and some groups.”
Position in society
The parties argue that including oral care in the basic package is cheaper than continuing the current oral care policy. “Neglected oral care can lead to physical and mental complaints, the health care costs of which are reimbursed by the health care system.”
Jong outlines that having dental problems affects you position in society. “If you are often in pain, it has negative effects on your life. Moreover, rotten teeth do not help you find and keep a job. We know that if adults don't go to the dentist, their children ultimately won't either.” According to her, it is necessary to look at where the social benefits end up. “By removing oral care from the basic package, no consideration was given to what it costs society in terms of negative effects. The problems never reach the people who can afford them.”
Minister Ernst Kuipers of Health set the target at the end of 2022 answers to parliamentary questions about the increase in the number of people who avoid the dentist for financial reasons, because they have no plans to include oral care in the basic package.
Free
In a mobile treatment unit, which will be placed on Wednesday near the House of Representatives in The Hague, Voorburg dentist Mahdi Khalilzada will treat patients for whom dental care has become too expensive. Free. “Dental care is not a luxury, but a basic right. Why can you, as an insured person, go to a doctor with an earache, but not with a toothache?”
Read the full article on AD.nl
(source: AD.nl)