555. Reduction in tax deductions on health pays EUR 440 million to the State

Tax deductions for health in the Income Tax people Singles (IRS) will be reduced in a drastic but some doctors and experts warn taxation since the measure may have perverse effects, leading to an increase in tax evasion and simultaneously , a decrease in the use of the private sector, with a consequent overload of the National Health Service (SNS in Portuguese).

The fact is that ignoring these effects, the reduction of deductions from taxable income on health - a maximum of 30% to just 10% - will allow the state to increase tax revenue by more than 439 million euros, taking into account the values registered in 2009, calculates the Health Regulatory Authority (ERS) in its recent study on the financial sustainability of the SNS.

In 2009, according to data from the Directorate General of Taxation, more than two thirds of households (4.4 million) had health expenses in the statements of IRS. The value of deductions from taxable then totaled 659 million euros. With the new rules, this amount would be by 219 million, completes the ERS. Moreover, the proposed state budget for 2012 is establishing a ceiling on deductions (838.44 euros) and two levels with higher incomes can no longer provide health expenses.

But there are factors which are not included in this account - and that can change it substantially. You can, for example, return to the old story - with a receipt so much without receipt is both - that a few years ago it was common in doctors' offices, admits a specialist. Obviously, when there is mutual interest in the passage of bills, although this procedure is illegal, there is a potential for tax evasion, recognizes Orlando Monteiro da Silva, chairperson of the Order of Dentists.

Another perverse effect predictable, says, goes through a possible decline in demand for private health care and the consequent increase in the use of public services. An increased risk in the area of dentistry, because at this level there is virtually responses within the SNS. It is likely that there is a contraction in demand, with people postpone more complex treatments, admits the chairperson. In 2010, there was already a decrease from 20% to 30% and this year we are going down the same path.

Público

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It is expected that the Minister of Health urgently bring forward solutions that the SNS will adopt in the field of dentistry, taking into account the private sector's inability to adapt to the needs of the population in times of economic crisis. Do not fall on the population effects of oral health policy completely disastrous followed in Portugal in recent years.

554. Oral health in Portugal uneventful

The change of government in Portugal failed to provide a touch on oral health policies followed in our country in recent years and have contributed to the enormous degradation of oral health care provided to the population, especially the most needy and who has no economic capacity of resort to private health services.

After some months, still not perspectivou, by the government, any measures that do foresee a profound change in the practice of dentistry and oral health in our country, continuing to attend to the same standards coming from the socialist government.

It begins to be a bad example for the country to see the government continue oral health policies that are pure cosmetic, they have a very small impact and serve only a tiny percentage of the needs of the population (less than 10% of infant needs; over 90 % needs of children and youth are not bridged).

But private groups continue to gain wealth at the expense of the hand - of - the work of highly qualified and trained at the expense of the taxes of those who work and continues to see that their children never have proper dental care.

What is the destination of the new team of the Ministry of Health to proposals received in writing and set out the number 535 and 536 posts of this blog?

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Government maintains funding for dental check

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The Government will maintain funding for the program checks dentist and is studying the possibility of extending this measure to oral cancer, a disease that is increasing in Portugal, announced on Sunday the Order of these professionals. During the XX Congress of the Dental Association, which met for three days in Lisbon over 2,600 participants from across the country, and Assistant Secretary of State for Health, Fernando Leal da Costa, announced the continuation of funding for the National Programme for Promotion oral establishing dental checks.

In a statement issued after the meeting, the president of the order, Orlando Monteiro da Silva, welcomed the decision of the guardianship, recalling that this program is essential to the population with fewer resources, because the National Health Service [SNS in Portuguese ] has internally response for patients oral health. In Portugal, like the rest of the world, 90% of the population suffers from dental caries and periodontal disease (gum and bone).

Focusing on early intervention to reduce spending on these diseases for patients and for the state, said Orlando Monteiro da Silva, adding that the dentist-check ensures access to treatment more sensitive population, including pregnant women, children and elderly. The chairman also stressed the possibility under consideration by the Government to extend the check-dentist oral cancer, a disease that affects 35 000 people this year in Europe and causes death in 7500. According to him, this type of cancer is increasing in the country, largely due to lifestyle, since the origin of this disease are especially factors like smoking, excess alcohol and poor diet in fresh vegetables and fruits.

Under the check-dentist, more than one million Portuguese already had access to specialty consultations since 2008, of which 600 000 this year alone: 500 000 children aged seven, ten and 13 years and 100 000 pregnant women, elderly and children less than six years. In Congress, was also presented by the President of the Table Nomenclature of dentists that, from now on, it will be obligatory reference for all professionals, standardizing the description of procedures and treatments so far described in several papers, not always coincide.

Table Naming regulates the designation of the acts themselves of dentistry, making sure that everyone involved, dentists, patients, health systems, subsystems, conventions, insurers, health plans and other regulators, using the same terminology.

TVI24    

553. Complaints against dentists rise

The complaints in the area of dentistry have risen about 40 percent in just one year and in 2010 accounted for 9% of total complaints registered health. The data revealed by the Regulatory Authority of Health show that in 2007, the field of dentistry had only 33 complaints to be registered, but in 2008 topped 363. In 2010, the number reached 666 complaints and the first half of this year 552 people had already registered a complaint.

The increase in dental clinics that practice supposedly low prices are one of the reasons for this substantial increase in complaints, as revealed Ana Sofia Ferreira, Deco's lawyer, the journal Publico. Most complaints are due to the quality of services provided, as well as the existence of allegedly free check-up.

Record 

552. Clinics Vitaldent promote oral hygiene among children

The dental clinics Vitaldent just launched a campaign called "My First Tooth" which consists of the provision of a tooth brush junior to all children who deliver a baby tooth in clinics throughout the country Vitaldent.

The dental clinics Vitaldent have a range of solutions to draw healthy smiles through a careful and thorough oral hygiene products with which reinforce the structure of the tooth enamel and exert an effective protective action against decay. Thinking of oral health of the smallest, the Vitaldent offers a fun way to perform oral cleaning with brush Mouse Perez on material non-slip, available in various colors, designed for effective cleaning of the teeth and mouth.

To help keep your smile healthy, clinics Vitaldent advise you to brush your teeth after every meal, to make a dental revision of at least 6 at 6 months and an oral cleaning once a year which, in turn, is a free service in every clinical Vitaldent. Mark your query diagnosis, totally free, Vitaldent a clinic near you, on 800 50 10 30.

The campaign "My First Tooth" will be effective in all clinical Vitaldent until December 2011.

Clínicas VITAL DENT