“In 2012, state health insurance coverage for dentures became available for people 75 or older as of July 1. This year, it was expanded to people 65 or older as of July 1.” (image: KobizMedia/ Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, July 1 (Korea Bizwire) – The local dental association said Friday it has designated July 1 as Denture Day, timed with revised state health insurance coverage going into effect.
The coverage for dentures has been widened to people over 65 from the former 70 as of Friday, halving the cost for those individuals to receive a set of artificial teeth. According to the Korean Academy of Prosthodontics, one out of two Koreans aged 65 or older use dentures.
The academy said dental clinics and hospitals will mark the day with free seminars and promotional giveaways.
“In 2012, state health insurance coverage for dentures became available for people 75 or older as of July 1. This year, it was expanded to people 65 or older as of July 1,” Heo Seong-joo, the chief of the academy, said in explaining the choice of the date for Denture Day. “We plan to hold a full-fledged event participated by the public and the dental community to help promote oral health.”
According to the academy who surveyed denture users last year, close to 70 percent of them did know about proper care.
(Yonhap)
