The government presented a proposal on Wednesday that means an enhanced high-cost protection for dental care for all over 67 years. They will only have to pay ten percent for the most common treatments.
In order for private dentists not to take the opportunity to raise the price when the state pays 90 percent of the patient's costs, they will be forced to follow the reference prices established each year for different treatments.
Lars Olsson at Private Dentists claims that the government's proposal puts obstacles in the way for entrepreneurs.
When you cannot set the price you need to be able to get by with your business, caregivers will not be able to conduct operations. It will lead to actors not being able to conduct dental care for those with the greatest needs.
Needs to be reformed
Moreover, he believes that the high-cost protection should be reformed. Today, it is designed so that all over 67 years are included, regardless of what their dental health looks like.
We would like to direct the high-cost protection towards those with the greatest needs. Today, it is far too general. There are people who are 67 years or older who have large dental care needs, but there are also many who have very small dental care needs.
The views are different from the Swedish Pensioners' Association where Joel Stade is an expert on pensioners' economy.
Risk that pensioners do not go to the dentist
This is completely in line with what we have demanded. There is a risk otherwise that pensioners do not go to the dentist simply.
One feels that one would need dental care but one is afraid that it costs too much and then one hesitates to go there. It can lead to serious medical consequences.
He does not share the view that the proposal provides support to those who do not have any need for help.
If you make treatments available, you will reach the group that needs the intervention by necessity. If you have good dental health, it's just routine checks.
I think the government has found a fairly good way to limit this.
