Minister responds to Ivory Cross call for Government Commissioner for Oral Care

The Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport has responded to a letter from the Ivory Cross dated August 28, 2025, regarding the appointment of a Government Commissioner for Oral Care. In the letter, we urge the cabinet to appoint a Government Commissioner for Oral Care. We also highlight several bottlenecks within oral care.

The Minister expresses appreciation for the collaboration with the Ivory Cross, but has chosen not to appoint a separate government commissioner at this time, as the bottlenecks we identify are widespread across healthcare. However, the Minister explicitly acknowledges the problems surrounding the accessibility and affordability of oral care – including for the approximately 640,000 adults who avoid care for financial reasons – and is working on targeted financial measures, a possible adjustment to basic health insurance entitlements, expansion of training capacity, and a national Oral Health Monitor through the RIVM (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment).

Read the full letter here