A well-known saying: prevention is better than cure. That is the starting point for preventive oral care. You may immediately think of the periodic check-up at the dentist, but this is not quite what is meant. Preventive oral care includes, for example, preventive information in the form of nutritional advice, but also dental cleaning treatments, bacteriological research and fluoride application. What exactly do these treatments entail and to what extent are they reimbursed by your health insurance?

If You’re Looking to Delve Deeper Understating: healthgrades.com

Insurers who reimburse preventive oral care in 2023

If you are 18 years or older, you must take out additional (dental) insurance in order to receive reimbursement for preventive oral care. The extent to which preventive oral care is reimbursed by your additional insurance depends on the degree of coverage and the maximum annual reimbursement. The table overview below offers a comparison of different insurers:

Preventive oral care treatments

A number of examples of treatments have already been reviewed in the introduction. The most important preventive oral care treatments will be discussed here.

Preventive information and/or instruction

Depending on your personal situation, it may be necessary for your dentist to provide information or instructions specifically tailored to you. Think for example of nutritional advice, recording the plaque score, advice on breaking bad habits or taking a nutritional anamnesis.

Dental cleaning

With dental cleaning you can think of removing tartar, removing plaque or polishing your tooth, molar, prosthesis or implant. When plaque settles on your teeth for a long time, it can so-called calcify and become hard. Then tartar forms. It is then no longer possible to remove this with your toothbrush. Your dentist or dental hygienist should do this with the help of a hook or with the aid of ultrasonic vibrations.

Afterwards you can then choose to polish the teeth for a smooth surface. Why should you have tartar removed? It affects your gums. In extreme cases, it can cause gum disease.

See also: Preventive oral care Gorinchem

Simple bacteriological examination

These tests are often performed when you have gum disease. By analyzing which bacteria are present in the mouth, your dentist can tailor the treatment to your specific situation.

Fluoride application

This treatment is aimed at strengthening your teeth by applying a layer of fluoride. Your dentist can use a fluoride gel that is applied in a mouth guard. However, the dentist can also choose to apply fluoride varnish with a brush or fluoride liquid with a cotton swab.

Basic insurance reimbursement

Preventive oral care is fully reimbursed by your basic insurance up to the age ^of 18 . After the age of 18, ^you will no longer be reimbursed for the costs of preventive oral care from the basic package.