Politicians from left to right believe that oral care does not belong in the basic package. An outdated position, argues AJ Feilzer in the Volkskrant.

'At the moment the election programs of the political parties are in a final phase. D66 has already published its election programme, the other parties will soon follow. Unfortunately, the discussion about what should be included in the election manifestos about care is polluted by a pandemic, no matter how bad and intense it is.

To my great frustration and surprise, politicians are broadly of the opinion that the costs of oral care for adults should not be included in basic health insurance. This while it is becoming increasingly clear that the oral health of many Dutch people is not going well, especially those with a low socio-economic status, and that an unhealthy mouth has a negative effect on many other diseases.'

Read the full opinion article on Volkskrant.nl