417. Audit says dental checks discriminate patients in defiance of the law

Were announced in 2007 as the first step in providing the population oral health care - so far lacking in National Health Service but the Court of Auditors (CT) believes that dental checks issued by the previous Socialist government for children, youth , pregnant and elderly low-income violate the principles of universal and equitable access to health care.

The audit now published on the National Oral Health states that were not covered all children and young people of school children from three to 16 years, nor those attending public schools, with no explicit legal basis. And he makes the recommendation to Health Minister Ana Jorge, to ensure the legality, extending this service to all users.

Between 2006 and 2008 - the year the program was done under contracts with dental practices - the TC indicates that 95% of the school population has not benefited from the program, which shows a lack of efficiency and universality. Until they were provided 15 million and were used only 11.7 million euros.

This is just one of several repairs left by CT. The audit says the funding is not clear nor transparent (because it is divided by three institutions) and stresses that only two Regional Health Administrations have programs for quality assessment. The audit concludes that even in the face of not conducting periodic inspection or verification of establishments and clinical audits of care provided, there are risks associated with passenger safety and confirmation of care paid by check.

The TC raises doubts about the price paid for each treatment - which was negotiated with the Order of Dentists, but not based on any study - and makes a broad set of recommendations. From the choice of healthy foods in schools with measures that discourage the free sale and products harmful to oral health in the vicinity.

On the issue of universality, the Ministry responded to the progressive nature of the program, taking into account the existing budget, and the choice of a population more vulnerable to kick-start initiative. As the proposed measures for schools, states, several contradictory points outside the competences of that Ministry.

Rute Araújo
iOnline

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Truly disturbing the findings of the Court of Auditors, in addition to any irregularities and disregard for the equal treatment of all citizens (even worse when done by the state), is deeply regrettable that the program annually reaches only one in every twenty children.

Translating in other words, this oral health program implemented by the governments of the Socialist Party will not reach all children within 20 years, that if anyone born in Portugal in two decades, and assuming that some of the existing children have access to the program since then having completed 30 years of age.