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This is an announcement from Health Insurance: from January 1, 2025, reimbursement of fluoride varnishes protecting against cavities will be effective for children from the age of 1.
Fluoride varnishes are used by dentists to protect teeth that are at risk of developing cavities. Until now, reimbursement for the installation of this varnish was only possible for dentists for patients aged 3 years or older. From 1er January 2025, it will be possible once the little patient is one year old.
An upgrade of other dental care for children
This reimbursement will be made like other dental care, on the basis of 60% coverage by Health Insurance and 40% from complementary health insurance. This decision was made on July 4, with the signing of an amendment to the dental surgeons’ tariff agreement between the representative union CDF (dental surgeons of France) and Health Insurance, as part of the “Generation without caries” program. The aim is ultimately to make this type of care more attractive for dental surgeons.
At the same time, dental examinations have also increased from 30 to 40 euros for this age group and care such as the treatment of cavities or scaling have been increased by 30%.
Excessive consumption of sugary drinks
The concern of health authorities for the oral health of children is not new. Already in 2010, the High Authority of Health (HAS) revealed that according to certain studies, 20 to 30% of children aged 4 to 5 had at least one cavity.
“It appears that the perinatal period is a good time for caries prevention interventions, and that early use of fluoride as soon as teeth appear is recommended.” she had indicated. Early consumption of sugary drinks would be the first reason for the appearance of cavities in children.
How can you prevent your child from getting cavities? You can take action by following these few rules:
- Limit your sugar consumption: Sugar is present in many foods but it is possible to limit its consumption, through nutritional education of children. Sweets, chocolates and other sugary drinks should be given to the youngest only occasionally;
- Hygiene is fundamentalto prevent the formation of dental plaque and the action of bacteria. It is necessary to give fluoride supplements during early childhood, which improves the resistance of teeth to cavities, but also to encourage brushing teeth at least twice a day for at least two minutes, morning and evening;
- Finally, regular dental check-ups at the dentistat least once a year, must be carried out.
Dentists will be paid for their participation in emergencies
The amendment to the dental surgeons’ tariff agreement, signed on Thursday by the representative union CDF (dental surgeons of France) and the Health Insurance, presents another aspect. It proposes the possibility of paying dentists for their participation in the telephone regulation of the Samu via 15 on Sundays and public holidays, at a rate of 90 euros per hour. A decision that strengthens the Access to Care Service (SAS) wanted by the government to facilitate access to care for the population. In addition, it will allow dentists to carry out tele-expertise, in order to provide a remote opinion in two scenarios. Dentists will thus be able to respond to requests from establishments for the elderly or disabled, but also seek the opinion of one of their peers for suspected oral cancer or rare diseases.