The situation is much worse than what was the case two decades ago, as an organized Dental Department also operated in the University Hospital of Patras, where it does not operate today.
The acute problem of oral hygiene of Greek citizens highlighted the day before yesterday, in the context of a press conference, the Hellenic Dental Federation, asking the State to take the necessary measures.
Athanasios Devliotis
On the occasion of World Oral Health Day (March 28) and the declaration of 2024 as the Year of Oral Health, the president of the Hellenic Dental Federation Athanasios Devliotis stated the following:
“Oral health is a social good and a right for everyone. It is scientifically proven that the contribution of oral health to overall health, quality of life and social well-being is multidimensional. According to scientific data, oral diseases are the most common non-communicable diseases and they affect people throughout their lives.”
He emphasized that “the consequences of oral diseases are serious and affect individuals and families, communities, the Health System and the Social Security System, while they also have an impact on the wider social functioning. For those receiving treatment for oral diseases and conditions, the costs can be high and can lead to a significant financial burden on households.”
THE DATA
In 2023, the most recent survey on dental care in the country was published by ELSTAT. According to the clues:
During the last 12 months prior to the survey, about 1 in 2 (46.8%) required dental/orthodontic examination or treatment. 32% of those who needed examination or treatment did not receive it for financial reasons.
68% answered that they did not visit the dentist at all24% one to two and just 6% made three to five visits.
It is worth noting that a percentage of 10.6% of the population stated that they were burdened financially to cope with the expense of dental treatment.
IN ACHAIA
Giorgos Moutousis
The image that describes us is indicative the president of the Dental Association of Achaia George Moutousis, in relation to the possibilities that an Achaean has to be served in the public health system.
“The state’s contribution to dental care is nil. On the other hand, the public health system does not have organized departments that can meet the needs of the citizens” notes Mr. Moutousis and explains:
“At the University Hospital of Patras there is no Dental Department, even though it should be. Imagine that it existed almost 20 years ago, but after the retirements of the employees along the way, the positions were not announced and so the Department was closed. In “Agios Andreas” we have an organized Dental Department, which is managed by Sissy Avgerinou. It is quite well organized, but it is only on duty on the days that the hospital is also on duty (Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday). This means that on the other days there is no dentist on call throughout Achaia”.
Regarding Primary Health Care, Mr. Moutoussis describes: “Dental Departments exist in the Northern Sector Health Center and in the Upper Town, where there is a dentist every day until 8 pm, which naturally cannot cover all needs. Following the actions of the commander of the Health Region Giannis Karvelis and the deputy director of the Northern Sector Health Center (Agiou Alexiou) Nikos Koskinas, a dentist has been provided and there is an on-call dentist even on weekends until 8 pm. On holidays, of course, and at night, it doesn’t exist.”
In conclusion, Mr. Moutousis underlines that “it is unthinkable in a city like Patras, but also in the whole of Achaia, that there is no daily and 24-hour dental coverage. I must add that they also come to Patras from Ilia. We have the immigrants, land workers with acute problems, for whom there is no care. And don’t forget that at the private level there is no state assistance for dental care through EOPYY, as is the case with all other specialties.”
Today, according to the data provided by Mr. Davliotis, the public dental expenditure as a percentage of the total dental expenditure in Greece reaches 0%, while the EU figure is 31% (OECD 2021). In addition, private health expenditures decreased by almost 72% (ELSTAT 2022).
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