The oral health landscape in Singapore: A commentary on key features, challenges and future policies

IF 1.8 3区 医学 Q2 DENTISTRY, ORAL SURGERY & MEDICINE Community dentistry and oral epidemiology Pub Date : 2023-11-16 DOI:10.1111/cdoe.12927
Gabriel Keng Yan Lee, Kuan Yee Wong, Wan Zhen Lee, Chai Kiat Chng
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Abstract

Over the last decade, Singapore has grappled with substantial healthcare challenges, chiefly a bourgeoning aging population and a mounting burden of chronic diseases. The oral health landscape has also changed, with the Ministry of Health placing a greater focus on a life-course approach supported by policies that facilitate Singaporeans to receive dental care appropriately and affordably. A pivotal oral health policy is the National Dental Strategy, a comprehensive framework governing dental services in the public sector. This strategy encompasses aspects such as financing, workforce management, and capacity considerations. To facilitate affordability and accessibility to dental services in the public sector, the government extends subsidies to reduce out-of-pocket costs. Those attending private dental clinics also benefit from the Community Health Assist Scheme, introduced in 2012, which alleviates treatment costs for enrolled Singaporeans. Furthermore, additional age-banded subsidies have been introduced for older Singaporeans born before 1960, enhancing financial support when accessing dental services in both private and public sectors. In 2019, a national adult oral health survey was commissioned to gauge the oral health status of Singaporeans aged 21 and above. The findings reported 34.8% having untreated dental caries, and 15.7% and 41.2% experiencing moderate and severe periodontitis, respectively. While over half (53.9%) of respondents visited the dentist at least annually, about 60% of eligible individuals did not utilize their government dental subsidies. In response, the Ministry of Health is committed to strengthening oral disease prevention, integrating oral health into general healthcare services, expanding dental financing schemes to enhance service utilization, improving the quality and transparency of dental care, and leveraging advancements in tele-dentistry and other modes of dental services. It is imperative to adapt Singapore's oral health policies and service delivery models to meet the evolving needs of the population and ensure a sustainable, equitable and resilient oral healthcare system.

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新加坡口腔健康状况:主要特征、挑战和未来政策评论。
在过去的十年里,新加坡一直在努力应对巨大的医疗挑战,主要是人口老龄化和慢性病负担日益加重。口腔健康状况也发生了变化,卫生部更加注重生命过程方法,并辅之以便利新加坡人接受适当和负担得起的牙科护理的政策。一项关键的口腔卫生政策是国家牙科战略,这是管理公共部门牙科服务的综合框架。该策略包括融资、劳动力管理和能力考虑等方面。为了促进公共部门牙科服务的可负担性和可及性,政府延长了补贴,以减少自付费用。在私人牙科诊所就诊的人还受益于2012年推出的社区卫生援助计划,该计划减轻了注册新加坡人的治疗费用。此外,还为1960年以前出生的新加坡老年人提供了额外的年龄带补贴,增加了在私营和公共部门获得牙科服务的财政支持。2019年,一项全国成人口腔健康调查委托评估21岁及以上新加坡人的口腔健康状况。调查结果显示,34.8%的人患有未经治疗的龋齿,15.7%和41.2%的人患有中度和重度牙周炎。虽然超过一半(53.9%)的受访者每年至少看一次牙医,但约60%的合资格人士没有使用政府的牙科补贴。为此,卫生部致力于加强口腔疾病预防,将口腔保健纳入一般保健服务,扩大牙科筹资计划以提高服务利用率,提高牙科保健的质量和透明度,并利用远程牙科和其他牙科服务模式的进展。必须调整新加坡的口腔卫生政策和服务提供模式,以满足人口不断变化的需求,并确保一个可持续、公平和有弹性的口腔卫生保健系统。
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来源期刊
Community dentistry and oral epidemiology
Community dentistry and oral epidemiology 医学-公共卫生、环境卫生与职业卫生
CiteScore
4.40
自引率
8.70%
发文量
82
审稿时长
6 months
期刊介绍: The aim of Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology is to serve as a forum for scientifically based information in community dentistry, with the intention of continually expanding the knowledge base in the field. The scope is therefore broad, ranging from original studies in epidemiology, behavioral sciences related to dentistry, and health services research through to methodological reports in program planning, implementation and evaluation. Reports dealing with people of all age groups are welcome. The journal encourages manuscripts which present methodologically detailed scientific research findings from original data collection or analysis of existing databases. Preference is given to new findings. Confirmations of previous findings can be of value, but the journal seeks to avoid needless repetition. It also encourages thoughtful, provocative commentaries on subjects ranging from research methods to public policies. Purely descriptive reports are not encouraged, nor are behavioral science reports with only marginal application to dentistry. The journal is published bimonthly.
期刊最新文献
Examination of dental utilization of newly resettled adult refugees in Washington state enrolled in dental medicaid program. Navigating Disparities in Dental Health-A Transit-Based Investigation of Access to Dental Care in Virginia. The Role of Nationality in Childhood Caries in Qatar. A Data-Driven Approach Identifies Subtypes of Caries From Dental Charting. Social Relationships and Tooth Loss in Adults Aged 60 Years and Older: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
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