IADR Abstract Archives
Utilization of Dental Services by Children Following the Reform of Dental Care in Israel
Objectives: The reform in dental care provision in Israel started on July 2010, with the inclusion of preventive and restorative dentistry to children in the basket of services of the National Health Insurance Law (NHIL). The reform improved the access of children to dental health services. The eligibility today is from birth to 14 years old.Examine the parents' knowledge re. the dental services since the reform was implemented, the patterns of utilization of the services for children by specific subgroups and barriers preventing children from seeking treatment.
Methods: 1137 telephone interviews of parents to children age 2-11 were conducted in 2013. (Response rate was 69%). Data analyzed by respondents' origin (Jew or Arab) and SES (low, medium and high).
Results: Most of the parents knew about eligibility for treatment through the NHIL. 20% of the children who had ever been to the dentist had moved to public services following the reform, especially Jewish children with low SES.
64% of the children had seen a dentist in the last year, 25% never been to the dentist before. 71% of the utilizing children saw a publicly funded dentist, 26% went to a private clinics and 3% to other setting. Jews with low SES utilize public dental services more than Arabs with low SES.
The commonest reason for last visit was routine checkup (47%), 22% for urgent problem and 21% to continue treatment. Children with low SES visited more for urgent problems or continued treatment. Differences in routine checkups by ethnic origin and SES were found.
The main reasons for not taking children to the dentist were: there had been no dental problems and child too young. The cost of treatment was a reason for only 2%.
Conclusions: The population groups are highly responsive to the services offered through the reform.
The study was funded by the Israel National Institute for Health Policy Research
Methods: 1137 telephone interviews of parents to children age 2-11 were conducted in 2013. (Response rate was 69%). Data analyzed by respondents' origin (Jew or Arab) and SES (low, medium and high).
Results: Most of the parents knew about eligibility for treatment through the NHIL. 20% of the children who had ever been to the dentist had moved to public services following the reform, especially Jewish children with low SES.
64% of the children had seen a dentist in the last year, 25% never been to the dentist before. 71% of the utilizing children saw a publicly funded dentist, 26% went to a private clinics and 3% to other setting. Jews with low SES utilize public dental services more than Arabs with low SES.
The commonest reason for last visit was routine checkup (47%), 22% for urgent problem and 21% to continue treatment. Children with low SES visited more for urgent problems or continued treatment. Differences in routine checkups by ethnic origin and SES were found.
The main reasons for not taking children to the dentist were: there had been no dental problems and child too young. The cost of treatment was a reason for only 2%.
Conclusions: The population groups are highly responsive to the services offered through the reform.
The study was funded by the Israel National Institute for Health Policy Research