Kuipers wants a dental hygienist at the consultation office

Children should be able to be checked at the consultation office by a dental hygienist, says VWS minister Ernst Kuipers. That is why he wants to agree with health insurers, sector organizations and municipalities that such an inspection can be claimed from the health insurer. He thus responds to a motion submitted on 1 November by the PvdA and the four coalition parties.

Minister Ernst Kuipers (photo: Arenda Oomen)

The motion – which was adopted by the Lower House – should lead to better dental care for children from high-risk groups, such as families with a low income and/or from disadvantaged neighbourhoods. For example, the cabinet must arrange for dental care coaches to be installed at all consultation centers in deprived neighbourhoods. Kuipers' plan focuses on children aged 0 to 4 years. He wants to make it easier to deploy dental hygienists when children come into contact with youth health care (JGZ), which includes child health clinics. The dental hygienists must teach parents and children more about oral care and healthy eating and, where necessary, refer them to the dentist. The minister announces more plans to ensure that people with low incomes or debts go to the dentist more often. (source: skipr)