Study on the Costs of Dental Services and their Impact on Accessibility

Abstract

The dental care system in Romania faces major challenges regarding
accessibility and quality of services, showing discrepancies compared to European
standards. Access is difficult in rural areas, where the number of dentists is low,
in contrast to the high concentration in large cities such as Bucharest. The quality
of services varies between the private sector, where modern technologies
predominate, and the public sector, where limited resources affect care.
This study aims to analyze the costs of dental services and their impact on
accessibility in Romania, compared to other European countries, in order to
identify disparities and propose solutions that ensure equitable access to oral
health.
Treatment costs in Romania are 60-75% lower than in developed countries,
attracting dental tourism; however, they remain prohibitive for the local
population. In recent years, prices have increased by 25-30%, exceeding inflation,
due to the rising costs of materials and technologies.
The distribution of expenditures is unbalanced: curative treatments represent
approximately 70% of costs, while prevention accounts for only 10-15%, a
situation opposite to countries with efficient dental care systems (see Chart no. 3).
The financial impact on families is severe: 15-20% of them bear catastrophic
costs, meaning over 25% of their income, leading to indebtedness or sacrifices in
other areas.
The study results have important implications for public health policies in
Romania, highlighting the need for structural reforms to align with European
standards regarding accessibility and equity in dental services, within the context
of budget constraints and competing priorities in the health system.