WOULD you believe it, 100 years of free dental care.
That is, for teenagers in New Zealand 18 years old and below.
Our kababayans in New Zealand are lucky, having access to what is probably one of the best health care benefits in the world.
There are 72,612 people of Filipino blood registered by the 2018 New Zealand census. The lucky Pinoys make up 1.5 percent of New Zealand’s population.
It could be that New Zealand is the only country in the world to have free comprehensive dental care for teenagers.
A few countries offer free dental health care to specific groups. But that’s all. In Denmark, for example, only children, the disadvantaged and the elderly have the benefit of free dental care.
In New Zealand, standard dental treatments that are free for teenagers include routine examination to check teeth for decay and look at the gums and mouth for any problems.
X-rays used to find tooth decay and other problems are also free. So are fluoride treatment which helps make the surface of the teeth more resistant to decay.
Fissure sealants are free too. This is a thin layer of white filling applied on the teeth that are at risk of developing tooth decay.
Fillings to restore teeth that have been affected by tooth decay are free of charge. So are extractions to remove teeth that have been badly affected by tooth decay.
Referral for extra treatments comes without cost.
If a child needs extra treatments, he or she will be referred to another oral health service provider. Many treatments will still be free although some treatments such as orthodontics (for example, braces) will have to be paid out of the personal pocket.
Others older than 18 and who cannot get government help will have to pay for dental care, treatments or dentures, perhaps in installments to ease the cost.
However, the government funds a few dental services for some adults. People with disabilities or medical conditions such as mouth cancer may be referred to a hospital for their dental treatment by their usual dental practitioner or a general practitioner.
People on low incomes who have a may be able to get emergency dental care such as pain relief or extractions.
These services are provided by public hospitals or dentists contracted by district health boards. Some treatment costs may still have to be paid.
If one needs dental treatment because of an accident or injury, the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) will help with the cost.
The ACC provides compulsory insurance cover for personal injury for everyone in New Zealand, whether a citizen, resident or visitor. (If one is injured by an accident in New Zealand, for example, the ACC may pay some of the medical and rehabilitation costs.)
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Dr. Joseph D. Lim is the former Associate Dean of the UE College of Dentistry, former Dean of the College of Dentistry, National University, past president and honorary fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy, and honorary fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists and Honorary Life Member of Thai Association of Dental Implantology. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515./PN
