PhilHealth to cover dental care

MANILA, Philippines —  Preventive dental health care services will now be covered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).

Oral prophylaxis, mouth examination or oral screening and fluoride varnish application are included in the benefit package.

Pit and fissure sealants, Class V procedures for a maximum of two teeth, emergency tooth extractions and dental consultations are also covered.

The PhilHealth Board of Directors approved the expansion of primary care benefits, in line with the government’s vision of “Ngiting 70-20,” which aims to ensure that more Filipinos reach the age of 70 with 20 permanent teeth still in place.

The state health insurer will annually pay a maximum of P1,000 per patient for preventive oral health services.

Of the amount, P300 will be paid for the first visit, covering oral screening, dental cleaning and fluoride varnish application; P300 for a second visit, and P200 for two teeth for pit and fissure sealant or a Class V procedure.

Co-payments are not allowed for public dentists.

Private dentists will be allowed maximum co-payment charges per visit of P1,500 for mouth examination and oral prophylaxis, P600 for pit and fissure sealant or Class V procedure and P600 for emergency tooth extraction.

“Universal health care must have oral health care, and the best way to make it sustainable and felt by Filipinos is through primary care,” Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said.

Details of the benefit package will be outlined in a PhilHealth circular, the Department of Health said.