Filenews 26 October 2021
The inclusion of Dentists in the General Health System in December 2020 enabled beneficiaries to gain access to an important specialty.
As stated in a statement by the Health Insurance Organization, from very early on everyone is trained to take thorough and systematic care of oral hygiene: Proper and daily brushing of teeth and regular visits to dentists, aiming at more professional care and care. However, the high cost of these services was for many a deterrent, resulting in neglect of chronic problems, which ultimately created other, more serious ones, with far-reaching health effects.
As of December 1, 2020, with the inclusion of preventive dentistry in the System, GHS beneficiaries had the opportunity to carry out a dental cleaning per year free of charge.
The choice of dentist
The beneficiary selects the Dentist he wishes to visit, given that he/she is contracted with the General Health System. This means that a beneficiary can examine the options given to him/her through the list of GHS-contracted dentists and choose whoever he/she wishes. However, this does not mean that he is obliged to visit the same dentist repeatedly to receive dental services.
The beneficiary has the right to visit dentist A the first time and the second time dentist B, without necessarily informing his/her Personal Doctor or the System.
Access
The beneficiary visits the Dentist of his/her choice directly, after arranging an appointment, without the need for a referral to be issued by the Personal Doctor or other provider.
Services provided
Preventive dental health care services are fully reimbursed by the IRS, with the beneficiary not paying any co-payment. Each beneficiary has the right to visit a dentist one year a year based on the framework set by the OECD.
More specifically, based on the list posted on the GHS website, beneficiaries - up to 4 years old- are covered for one (1) visit per year concerning the control of the oral cavity. In the context of this visit, the Dentist informs the beneficiary / parent / guardian about the proper oral hygiene, the proper eating habits of the child, the avoidance of caries, oral habits (finger sucking, pacifier, etc.) and their treatment, etc.
For beneficiaries from 4 to 6 years old, one (1) visit per year is also valid, which concerns calcification (dental cleaning), oral cavity check and information of the beneficiary / parent / guardian about proper oral hygiene, the proper eating habits of the child to avoid caries, oral habits (finger sucking, pacifier, etc.) and their treatment, etc.
In beneficiaries from 6 to 12 years of age, the GHS covers one (1) visit per year for calcification, local application of fluoride and oral cavity control.
Finally, for beneficiaries from 12 years of age and above, the System also covers one (1) visit per year which is covered and concerns the caliperization and control of the oral cavity.
It is noted that the System covers the above services by dentists contracted with the GHS, given that at least one year has elapsed since the beneficiary's previous visit to a dentist within the framework of the General Health System and the provision of one of the above activities. It is reminded that each beneficiary through the Beneficiary Portal and specifically through the Beneficiary's File, has access to his/her medical history, as it has been completed by services he/she has received within the GHS framework.
For other dental work that is not included and is not covered by the GHS, dental services continue to serve beneficiaries outside the GHS.
