The Mehr News Agency has reported on the astronomical prices of dental care in Iran. The report states that the cost of fixing damaged and decayed teeth for adults ranges from 50 to 100 million tomans, with over 90% of dental expenses paid out of pocket by the public. The cost of root canal treatment is reported to be between 3.5 to 4 million tomans, which can be up to twice as much in some dental clinics. The cost of a single dental implant starts at 7 million tomans and can go up to 15 million tomans. A dentist from Iran confirmed these figures to Voice of America, stating that due to high prices, people only visit dentists to extract teeth and relieve pain, making it no longer profitable for individuals to maintain a dental practice. According to this dentist, extracted teeth are often not replaced due to the high costs. Previously, the head of the board of the Iranian Dental Association also mentioned to Hamshahri that dental clinics are not profitable. Ali Tajernia stated that many dentists have closed their private practices and moved to clinics where patients have access to 'minimum insurance coverage.' Saeed Karimi, the Deputy Minister of Health, says that the Ministry's plans and programs to improve the current situation 'remain on paper,' including the expansion of government centers, which he claims the ministry lacks the budget to implement. Meanwhile, many say that government centers do not provide adequate services, and people prefer not to visit them. On the other hand, many dentists have packed their bags and preferred to emigrate rather than stay. Last June, the Secretary of the Comprehensive Scientific Map Headquarters stated that Iran ranks among the bottom five countries in the region in terms of the number of dentists. The Deputy Policy Maker of the Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution has mentioned that there is a discrepancy between this institution and the Ministry of Health regarding dentist per capita statistics, estimating 35 dentists per 100,000 population, while the Ministry of Health claims this number is 43. Data from 'Our World in Data' estimates the number of dentists in Iran at 4.47 per 10,000 people, based on information from 2018, prior to the new wave of healthcare worker emigration from Iran. The critical state of oral health in Iran, exacerbated by various factors, has long been raised as a warning by health experts. Although there are no precise statistics on the extent of tooth decay among Iranians, it is reported that out of 28 teeth for each Iranian aged 35 to 44, 9 to 13 are decayed and damaged.
Astronomical Prices for Dental Care in Iran and Teeth Extracted Without Replacement
The cost of dental care in Iran has skyrocketed, with treatments for adults costing between 50 to 100 million tomans, leading many to extract teeth instead of seeking replacements. This situation reflects broader issues in the healthcare system, including inadequate insurance coverage and a shortage of dentists, prompting many professionals to emigrate. The implications of these trends are significant for public health and access to care in Iran.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Dental care costs in Iran have surged, with many people opting for tooth extraction over treatment due to unaffordable prices. This trend highlights systemic issues in the healthcare system, including inadequate insurance and a shortage of dental professionals.
- Over 90% of dental expenses are paid out of pocket by the public.
- Iran ranks among the bottom five countries in the region for the number of dentists per capita.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iran faces significant challenges in its healthcare system, particularly in dental care, where costs are prohibitive and access to services is limited. The emigration of healthcare professionals further exacerbates these issues.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
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