Portugal to Offer Free Dental Care for Seniors Over 60
As the first European country to develop a national action plan for active and healthy aging, Portugal has translated its framework into English to serve as a model for other nations.
What?
A new nationwide initiative will provide free dental treatments to citizens aged 60 and above as part of municipal plans for active and healthy aging.
The program, which is being developed in 55 municipalities and aims to expand nationwide, could eventually benefit over 500,000 people.
Addressing Oral Health Challenges
Malnutrition among Portugal’s elderly population has been linked to poor oral health, often resulting from the inability to afford dental treatments.
The new measure seeks to address this issue by covering dental care costs, especially for those with conditions that impair their ability to eat, such as broken teeth or the lack of dentures.
Initial efforts included a pilot project in Penafiel, where oral health assessments were conducted for residents in care homes.
“Some problems are very simple to fix, like replacing broken teeth that cut the tongue or providing dentures for those who never managed to afford them,” explained Nuno Marques, coordinator of the National Plan for Active and Healthy Aging.
How the Program Works
The initiative involves assessing the oral health of residents over 60 in each participating municipality, covering both those in care facilities and those living independently.
After these assessments, patients will receive free treatments through the National Health Service’s (SNS) dental vouchers, with municipalities stepping in to cover any additional costs.
Nuno Marques emphasized that improving oral health is crucial for addressing malnutrition in older adults. According to the OECD’s Health at a Glance report, 8% of the Portuguese population faced barriers to accessing oral healthcare in 2022, with seniors disproportionately affected.
The program’s primary focus is on seniors over 60 but is open to other age groups as well. Preventive care throughout life is another key principle of the national plan to ensure improved quality of life for those over 65.
Currently, 55 municipalities are finalizing their plans, with implementation expected in the first half of 2024. Over the next six months, an additional 100 municipalities are expected to join the program.
Portugal as a Global Leader in Aging Initiatives
Portugal’s active aging plan - available here (in English) - is gaining international recognition. During a United Nations meeting on aging this week, Portugal’s efforts were highlighted as exemplary.
As the first European country to develop a national action plan for active and healthy aging, Portugal has translated its framework into English to serve as a model for other nations.
The UN has praised Portugal’s holistic approach, which integrates national goals with local implementation. Of the 135 activities outlined in the national plan, 94 are already in progress, representing 70% completion.
However, delays in funding procedures linked to the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) and Portugal 2030 programs have hindered some initiatives.
“Funding is secured, but we need to launch the calls for proposals. These were planned for the first half of 2024, but we’re nearing the year’s end, and they’re still pending,” Marques noted.
Source: Expresso