Abstract
This study is aimed at reviewing people’s accessibility to dental health care service. Primary data was derived from two major household surveys conducted by National Statistic Bureau; health and welfare survey, and economic and social status survey both in 2003 (N = 26,520 households and 68,433 individuals) and 2006 (N = 25,98 5 households and 74,057 individuals). Extrapolation to total population by weigh was then calculated.
Marginal increase in overall health insurance coverage in general population was found from 95% in 2003 to 93 % in 2006, of which national health insurance scheme contributed 68-88%. Considered by age groups, 81-83% in school age and 87-88% in school age get highest coverage of the national scheme. Focusing to dental health care service, the overall utilization has declined from 10.19% to 7.44%, compared to those covered by the national scheme from 9% to 6%. The highest utilization was among school age children (17% to 10%) compared to the lowest, pre-school age (3% to 2%). The result revealed that despite of high coverage of national health insurance scheme, the low accessibility to dental health care is still unsatisfied. Among them, preschool age children to whom dental health promotion should be concentrated getting worse.
