The proposal: This is how dental care will become cheaper

The government's investigator proposes a system where a regular dental care treatment will cost between 100 and 400 kronor. In a first step, the enhanced high-cost protection will cover those who have turned 67 years old.

» Published:

The proposal: This is how dental care will become cheaper
Photo: Martina Holmberg/TT

Share this article

The investigator Martin Färnsten has now submitted his proposals on how to strengthen today's high-cost protection in dental care to make it more similar to what exists in healthcare.

No human being should have to refrain from social gatherings because they cannot afford to go to the dentist. It is not worthy of Sweden, says Social Minister Jakob Forssmed (KD).

Introduced Gradually

Initially, the focus is on better high-cost protection for the elderly with the poorest oral health. However, the assignment has also been to develop a model that can be scaled up to the entire population.

The investigator proposes a model that will be introduced gradually based on age and need. The model is called ten-percentage dental care – the patient pays 10 percent of the reference price for a treatment.

For a regular procedure such as repairing or extracting a tooth, the cost will be between 100 and 400 kronor per procedure according to the investigator's proposal.

More Expensive for the State

In the first step, where only the elderly are covered, the state's cost is estimated to increase by between 3.4 and 4.5 billion kronor per year.

When fully implemented, when the entire population from the age of 20 is covered, the state's cost for dental care is estimated to increase by between 7.7 and 9.9 billion kronor per year.

However, the Social Minister cannot say when the system will be fully implemented.

The dental care reform is part of the Tidö Agreement. The parties have already preceded the investigation by earmarking 3.4 billion kronor for strengthened high-cost protection for those who have turned 67 from 2026. Additionally, free dental care for young people aged 19-23 will be introduced next year as part of the financing.

Abolished Special Rule

According to the Tidö Agreement, the special rule that allows asylum seekers and undocumented immigrants to receive acute dental care for 50 kronor will also be abolished. However, since international directives provide the right to acute dental care, and most individuals in this group cannot pay the dentist's bill with their own means, the investigation proposes that those affected should be able to seek economic assistance instead.

Our assessment is that this will result in slightly higher administrative costs for the public sector than the current arrangement. As for the individuals concerned, we estimate that they will consume dental care to a lesser extent than today, leading to poorer oral health, says investigator Martin Färnsten.

Jakob Forssmed says that the proposal will now be analyzed.

But we have an agreement in the Tidö Agreement to remove this type of special rule. We will prepare and see how we take these proposals further, he says.

Strengthened dental care compensation. Called ten-percentage dental care because the patient pays ten percent of the reference price. Affects in the first step people who are 67 years old and older.

Examinations and preventive measures are not covered by ten-percentage dental care.

Cost for ten-percentage dental care for 67-year-olds and older: 3.4-4.5 billion kronor per year. Cost for ten-percentage dental care for all adults (20 years and older): 7.7-9.9 billion kronor per year.

The special rules for adult asylum seekers and undocumented immigrants, with a fee of 50 kronor for dental care that cannot wait, are abolished. Those who cannot afford to pay the cost themselves will instead receive economic assistance.

Source: SOU 2024:70

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Eggs Affects Multiple Regions

Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Eggs Affects Multiple Regions

Swedish Worker in 20s Dies in Norwegian Oil Refinery Accident

Swedish Worker in 20s Dies in Norwegian Oil Refinery Accident

Motorcycle Crash in Tanum Leaves Driver Critically Injured

Motorcycle Crash in Tanum Leaves Driver Critically Injured

Thunberg's Convoy Representatives Meet with Hamas in Algeria

Thunberg's Convoy Representatives Meet with Hamas in Algeria

Greta Thunberg Steps Down from Gaza Flotilla Steering Group

Greta Thunberg Steps Down from Gaza Flotilla Steering Group

Motorcyclist in Malmö Accident Arrested After Knife Threat

Motorcyclist in Malmö Accident Arrested After Knife Threat

Shooting at Norsborg Apartment Door Sparks Police Investigation

Shooting at Norsborg Apartment Door Sparks Police Investigation

Head-On Collision Near Falkenberg Sends Three to Hospital

Head-On Collision Near Falkenberg Sends Three to Hospital

Säpo Budget Increases to Counter Russian Security Threat

Säpo Budget Increases to Counter Russian Security Threat

Police Admit Legal Breach in Case of Missing 14-Year-Old Mohamed

Police Admit Legal Breach in Case of Missing 14-Year-Old Mohamed

Parliament Approves Secret Coercive Measures for Children Under 15

Parliament Approves Secret Coercive Measures for Children Under 15

Cyberattack Hits Defense-Linked Companies in Sweden

Cyberattack Hits Defense-Linked Companies in Sweden

Postnord Sorting Machine Breakdown Delays 70,000 Packages

Postnord Sorting Machine Breakdown Delays 70,000 Packages

Student Injured in Suspected Attempted Murder at Bengtsfors School

Student Injured in Suspected Attempted Murder at Bengtsfors School

Teen Arrested for Attempted Murder in Borås Stabbing

Teen Arrested for Attempted Murder in Borås Stabbing

Second Arrest Made in Kallhäll Double Murder Investigation

Second Arrest Made in Kallhäll Double Murder Investigation

Centre Party Leader Rejects Role as Fifth Tidö Party

Centre Party Leader Rejects Role as Fifth Tidö Party

Main Line Reopens October 6 After Västernorrland Train Derailment

Main Line Reopens October 6 After Västernorrland Train Derailment

Man in 30s Dies in Örnsköldsvik Traffic Accident

Man in 30s Dies in Örnsköldsvik Traffic Accident

Criticism of Sweden's Benefit Cap: Impact on Children's Rights

Criticism of Sweden's Benefit Cap: Impact on Children's Rights