Oral Health and Dental Management

Abstract

Systems for the Provision of Oral Health Care in the Black Sea Countries Part 10: Greece

Popie Damaskinos, Charalampos Economou

This paper describes the complex Greek health insurance system in 2011 and how it funds some aspects of oral health care for the population. It explains how different aspects of oral health care for different groups in Greek society are funded by insurance schemes or the national health system (ESY) or purely by direct (out-of-pocket) payments from patients to dentists. It then describes the Greek oral health care workforce and explains that relative to the population there are more dentists than in any other European country. However, few work with chair-side assistance from dental nurses and there are no dental hygienists. There are two dental schools, whose intake may well be reduced in the near future. There are also only two recognised dental specialties (orthodontics and oral surgery). Some epidemiological data and costs are then presented. The paper finishes with a consideration of problems in oral health care in Greece and suggests how some may be overcome.