Financing of dental services in Turkey: opinions and expectations of dentists, residents, and patients

J Public Health Dent. 2004 Spring;64(2):82-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1752-7325.2004.tb02732.x.

Abstract

Objectives: This study investigates the attitudes of dentists, residents, and patients on the financing of dental services in Turkey.

Methods: In this descriptive study, randomly selected groups of 860 dentists, 641 patients, and 866 residents from 9 provinces of Turkey were interviewed. Their agreement on various statements on financing issues of dental services were recorded and analyzed.

Results: Eighty-two percent of the dentists, 83.8 percent of the patients, and 76.4 percent of the residents agreed that "governments should finance all dental services." The majority of the dentists (83.6%), patients (74.7%), and residents (84.4%) stated that patients should pay a copayment for their dental treatment.

Conclusion: Survey results indicate that the current financing system of dental services in Turkey is not satisfactory either for the providers or for the users.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Attitude of Health Personnel
  • Attitude to Health*
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Dental Health Services / economics*
  • Dentists
  • Educational Status
  • Female
  • Financing, Government / economics
  • Financing, Organized / economics*
  • Financing, Personal / economics
  • Humans
  • Insurance, Dental / economics
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Outpatient Clinics, Hospital
  • Public Opinion
  • Reimbursement Mechanisms / economics
  • Sex Factors
  • Turkey