Gov’t Authorizes Expansion of Dental Services

The government has approved an expansion of dental services. The expansion, a plan proffered by Deputy Health Minister Rabbi Yaakov Litzman, will subsidize dental care for individuals 75 and older. In addition, the reform provides free basic dental care for all Israelis up to age 18, expanding the program which had provided care for children up to age 16.

The dental care will be provided by health funds (kupot cholim), with various services free or highly subsidized. Exams and preventive care are largely free, with other treatments costing NIS 24 to 49, and root canals costing NIS 136 ($38).

Deputy Minister Rabbi Litzman praised the move, saying that “I am satisfied that we have been able to implement the plan to implement these reforms that I promoted when I began my work in the ministry. We began by providing dental care to children up to eight years old, and now we have expanded the plan to include children up to 18 years of age. This is true social justice and the correction of a historic injustice that saw Israelis paying out large amounts of money for dental care for services that are now being given for free.”