Filenews 14 March 2024 - by Marilena Panayi
Two out of three GHS beneficiaries do not take advantage of the right granted to them through the General Health System for one tooth cleaning per year.
This, as the Pancyprian Dental Association argues, in combination with other factors, such as the cost of dental services or the general mentality of Cypriot citizens regarding oral health, results in an increase in the cases of gingivitis and periodontitis in the population, which of course then leads to increased costs, which citizens pay out of their own pocket since they are forced to proceed with the necessary treatment.
Representatives of the dental association met today with the parliamentary Health Committee and reiterated their request for the addition of more dental services to the GHS.
Citing HIO data, they said that only 1/3 of the beneficiaries of the system use their right to one tooth cleaning per year and claimed that in a meeting they had with the Health Insurance Organization, the organization had stressed the need for more information for citizens.
Dentists, for their part, believe that even citizens who proceed with annual teeth cleaning should be given the right to a second cleaning per year, as long as there is a budget available.
The representatives of the dental association submitted to the Parliament a memorandum in which all their demands are included.
