Financing of dental services in Turkey: Opinions and expectations of dentists, residents, and patients

HAYRAN O. E., Mumcu G., Sur H., Yildirim C., Söylemez D., Atli H.

Journal of Public Health Dentistry, vol.64, no.2, pp.82-87, 2004 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Review
  • Volume: 64 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2004
  • Doi Number: 10.1111/j.1752-7325.2004.tb02732.x
  • Journal Name: Journal of Public Health Dentistry
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.82-87
  • Keywords: Dental care, Dental insurance, National health programs
  • Istanbul Medipol University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Objectives: This study investigates the attitudes of dentists, residents, and patients on the financing of dental services in Turkey. Methods: In this descriptive study, randomly selected groups of 860 dentists, 641 patients, and 866 residents from 9 provinces of Turkey were interviewed. Their agreement on various statements on financing issues of dental services were recorded and analyzed. Results: Eighty-two percent of the dentists, 83.8 percent of the patients, and 76.4 percent of the residents agreed that "governments should finance all dental services." The majority of the dentists (83.6%), patients (74.7%), and residents (84.4%) stated that patients should pay a copayment for their dental treatment. Conclusion: Survey results indicate that the current financing system of dental services in Turkey is not satisfactory either for the providers or for the users.