Spanish social security will include dental cover from 2025
The move aims to provide dental treatment for those who can’t afford to pay privately
While plenty of holidaymakers schedule some dental work when they travel to Spain due to the relatively cheaper cost compared to the likes of the UK, for many people living and working here, a trip to the dentist is still prohibitively expensive.
Spain has an exceptional health care service and although workers can avail themselves of many medical treatments free of charge, up until now, social security contributions didn’t cover routine oral health services.
This is set to change in 2025, when the Ministry of Health will gradually incorporate dental services in all health centres across Spain. This means that local medical centres will also have an oral health section, allowing more people to access dental treatment through public health.
Beyond aesthetics, maintaining healthy teeth and gums is key to preventing serious systemic diseases, such as respiratory infections, cardiovascular problems and diabetes. For this very reason, Social Security has decided to prioritise investment in this area, which will significantly improve the quality of life of millions of people.
Who will be able to access free dental care?
Firstly, priority will be given to children under 14 years of age, pregnant women and people with disabilities.
All beneficiaries must be registered in Spain and have a valid health card. Adults and people over 14 years of age may also access this subsidy if they meet the financial requirements.
Preference will be given to those whose income does not exceed a certain threshold, which will be reviewed annually based on the minimum interprofessional salary (SMI).
Which dental procedures will be free?
The aim of the Ministry of Health's plan is to provide the entire population with information and individualised health recommendations on the basic hygiene and dietary measures necessary to maintain oral health. As such, the following treatments will be available free of charge:
- Acute dental processes.
- Pharmacological treatment of oral pathology.
- Exodontias.
- Surgical extractions.
- Minor surgery of the oral cavity.
- Early detection of premalignant lesions.
- Biopsy of mucosal lesions.
- Free dental treatments for children
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 are included, as are preventive treatments such as scaling and cleaning.
Image: Freepik
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