Wednesday, 25 July 2018

704. Pilot project of dentists in health centers reached more than 16 thousand users

The DGS reports that the 13 health centers in the initial phase of the project received 16,760 patients in 25,640 dental clinics. The new policy strategy in this area thus addresses the lack of dental medicine in the NHS, seeking to recover from the backwardness which, in comparison to other European countries, is particularly evident in Portugal given its large number of partial or total edentulous .Continuing the strategy initiated with the dental checks, which the Secretary of State says has been particularly relevant for population groups such as children, the elderly and pregnant, the pilot project "Dentists in Primary Health Care" obtained in the first 13 units that the ruler considers very interesting results. This assessment results from two perspectives: on the one hand, that of the users, who recognize that this service was really necessary and among which there were people who had not been to the dentist for 20 years, and on the other hand, of the satisfaction of the dentists who worked where they knew they really made the difference.
As for the balance of this performance, the DGS reports that the 13 health centers of the initial phase of the project received 16,760 users in 25,640 dental clinics. With the exception of cosmetic care, which are not covered by the program, these patients were, in turn, subject to a total of 28,900 basic treatments and 20,270 complementary procedures. If the universe of analysis is extended to the 11 health centers that integrated the program in a second phase of the process, the total accounting includes 32,882 users and 56,824 consultations until the 30th of September.According to the Deputy Secretary of State for Health, the involvement of municipalities such as Arouca, which, before health centers without dental equipment, were willing to pay the necessary investment - in the specific case of this municipality, involved more than 37,000 euros. It is not the responsibility of the autarchy to assume this expense and that is the difference between politicians, Fernando Araújo said.
In its initial phase, the pilot project "Doctors Dentists in Primary Health Care" was implemented in the health centers of Alenquer, Arruda dos Vinhos, Azambuja, Cartaxo, Costa da Caparica, Fátima, Lourinhã, Mafra, Moita, Montemor-o -Novo, Portel, Rio Maior and Salvaterra de Magos.
The second stage also included Arouca, Castelo de Paiva, Celorico de Basto, Cinfães, Damaia, Estremoz, Faro, Freixo de Espada a Cinta, São João da Pesqueira, Moimenta da Beira and Tabuaço.
Already, until the end of 2017, the third phase of the project will extend to the Alfandega da Fé, Algueirão, Bragança, Cacém (Olival), Carnide, Carrazeda de Ansiães, Carregal do Sal, Castelo Branco (Izeda), Macedo de Cavaleiros, Matosinhos (Leça), Miranda do Douro, Mirandela, Mogadouro, Monte Pedral, Moscavide, Odivelas, Ovar, Paço de Arcos, Portimão, Porto (Aldoar, Barão de Nova Sintra e São João), Póvoa de Santo Adrião, Queluz, Santa Comba Dão, São João da Talha, Santo António de Cavaleiros, Tavira, Torre de Moncorvo, Torre de Dona Chama, Vila Flor, Vimioso, Vinhais and Vouzela.

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