Israelis Over 72 Receive Heavily Subsidized Dental Care
Translated & summarized from Bizportal by baba
Israeli citizens aged 72 and older are eligible for heavily subsidized dental care through their health funds, with services like check-ups and cleanings provided free. Other treatments, such as fillings, root canals, and dentures, have low co-payments, costing 37.60 shekels, 150.40 shekels, and 338.42 shekels respectively. This benefit is universal for those over 72 and is part of the national health basket. The article also details global oral health statistics and options for younger or homebound individuals.
The story in 7 lines · by baba
- Israelis aged 72 and older receive subsidized dental care, including fillings for 37.60 shekels and root canals for 150.40 shekels.
- Preventative dental services like check-ups and cleanings are free for eligible seniors.
- Full dentures are available for 338.42 shekels, with replacement allowed once every seven years per jaw.
- Implants to support full lower dentures are subsidized at 112.81 shekels each.
- The dental benefit is available to all health fund members over 72, regardless of income.
- Subsidized care is provided at health fund clinics or affiliated private practices.
- Younger individuals or those homebound may access subsidized care via social services or charities.
Israeli citizens aged 72 and older are eligible for significantly reduced costs on a range of dental treatments, including fillings, root canals, and dentures, as part of the national health insurance basket. Preventative services such as check-ups, X-rays, and tartar removal are provided free of charge. For other procedures, patients pay a low co-payment, with a filling costing 37.60 shekels, a root canal 150.40 shekels, and a full denture 338.42 shekels. This benefit is available to all health fund members over 72, irrespective of income, and is consistent across all health funds, though the network of participating clinics may vary.
Treatments are administered at the health fund's own clinics or at affiliated private practices, and in some cases, at hospitals with a referral and authorization form. Seeking treatment at a non-affiliated private clinic without prior authorization will not be covered. The article also highlights global statistics on tooth loss, noting that approximately 23% of people aged 60 and over worldwide have lost all their teeth, and oral diseases are the most common non-communicable diseases globally.
The subsidized plan also covers restorative dental work, such as partial or full dentures, with specific frequencies for replacement. For example, a full denture can be replaced once every seven years per jaw, and a partial denture once every four years, both costing 338.42 shekels. The plan includes provisions for implants to support full lower dentures, with up to four implants costing 112.81 shekels each, including a CT scan for placement. Follow-up appointments for denture fitting are also covered, with the initial four free and subsequent ones costing 37.60 shekels.
For individuals under 72 or those who are homebound, subsidized dental care may be available through local social services departments based on financial need, or via mobile clinics operated by charities. The article provides an example of a full mouth rehabilitation for a 76-year-old, estimating the total cost to be around 1,316 shekels, including consultations, extractions, dentures, implants, and a CT scan, plus four free follow-up visits.