The Council of Ministers has approved this Tuesday the distribution of 68 million euros to the autonomous communities -2.9 million to the Canary Islands- to expand oral health coverage and strengthen public dental care throughout the territory.
At a press conference, the Minister of Health, Mónica García, reported that with this item the 2024 oral health plan consolidates its expansion -with a total investment of 180 million- and continues to give priority to the infant-juvenile population, people with disabilities and oncological processes in cervicofacial phases.
For 2024, the objective of the plan is to offer the entire population information and individualized health recommendations on the basic hygienic and dietary measures necessary to maintain oral health.
In addition, the plan includes the treatment of acute dental processes, pharmacological treatment of oral pathology, extractions, surgical extractions, minor surgery of the oral cavity, early detection of premalignant lesions and, if applicable, biopsy of mucosal lesions, according to the Ministry of Health.
Priority groups
In the case of children and adolescents and people over 14 years of age with intellectual disabilities or with a disability that limits the mobility of the upper limbs, periodic check-ups, preventive treatments such as tartar removal, application of remineralizing, antiseptic and desensitizing substances, as well as sealing of pits and fissures are included.
It also contemplates restorative actions such as fillings in lesions that do not associate irreversible pulpal damage and stabilization and splinting of definitive incisors and canines in case of trauma.
In the case of people with severe behavioral disorders, the provision of services is guaranteed through the corresponding sedative or general anesthesia treatment.
For pregnant women and people diagnosed with oncological processes in the cervicofacial area, clinical exploration is contemplated, and when indicated, tartar removal and application of remineralizing, antiseptic or desensitizing substances.
The oral health plan aims to homogenize services throughout the territory, guaranteeing equity and increasing common services, with a preventive approach.
In 2023, with an investment of 68 million as well, the communities executed 84.5% of the budget. More than 1.1 million children from 0 to 14 years of age were treated and 111,755 pregnant women in addition to cancer patients and people with disabilities.
