Large supply gaps About two-thirds of the children do not go to the dentist

Barmer GEK: Germans care too little about dental care
Hard to believe: about two-thirds of children between two and six years do not go to the dentist This resulted in an evaluation of the insurance data of the statutory health insurance Barmer GEK. Just one third of this age group therefore uses the dental screening test. Even with the adults, there is considerable pent-up demand.

Oral hygiene can not start soon enough
Nothing prevents tooth decay, gingivitis and toothache as well as regular brushing. A conscientious oral hygiene can not start soon enough. Milk teeth already need a lot of care. Parents are advised to check their offspring's dental care until the end of elementary school. In addition, it is advised to have the offspring examined at a very young age regularly by the dentist. But there are obviously significant deficits here.

With the oral hygiene you can not start early enough. The first dental visit should already take place at six months. But about two out of three young children do not go to the screening test. (Image: Jürgen Fälchle / fotolia.com)

Two-thirds of the children do not go to the screening test
According to a Barmer GEK press release, two-thirds of children between the ages of two and six do not go to a dentist. According to the health insurance, only 33.9 percent of this age group used the screening test in 2014.

"Infants need to be well cared for from the first baby tooth. Only in this way can tooth decay and other dental diseases be consistently prevented. The regular visit to a dentist even with the smallest should therefore be standard program in every family, "said Ute Engelmann, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the cashier.

According to health experts, the first visit to a dentist should take place at the age of six months.

Significant need to catch up with adults
According to the health insurance company, there is also considerable pent-up demand among adults. Many of them obviously shy away from dental treatment. According to the data, approximately 30 percent of the Barmer insured did not visit a dentist in 2014.

"Continuous preparedness lays the foundation for long-lasting dental health. Those who use prophylaxis on a regular basis can even save money, since the own contribution for crowns or bridges is significantly reduced, "says Engelmann. (Ad)