Table 1 Key features of the two schemes from which data on actual treatment provided was retrieved
Scheme 1 | Scheme 2 | |
|---|---|---|
Referred to as | Scheme for employed adults | Scheme for less well-off adults |
Name of scheme | Dental Treatment Benefit Scheme (DTBS) | Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) |
Established | 1952 | 1994 |
Payment method | Fee-per-item | Fee-per-item and some public health service dentists |
Numbers eligible 2002 | 1.3 million | 1.2 million |
Eligibility | Employed and retired adults with sufficient social insurance contributions (and their spouses) in Pay-Related Social Insurance classes A, E, H and P | Mainly adults who are unemployed or earning a very low income |
Categories of treatment provided: | ||
Extractions | Exodontics and surgical extractions | Exodontics and surgical extractions |
Restorations | Composite fillings, amalgam fillings, white fillings on back teeth/glass ionomers and pin-retained fillings | Composite fillings (six anterior teeth only) and amalgam fillings |
Advanced restorations | Endodontics, crowns and bridges | Endodontics (anterior teeth only) |
Denture treatments | Partial dentures, full-upper dentures, full-lower dentures, full-upper and full-lower dentures, and repair or adjustment | Partial dentures, full-upper dentures, full-lower dentures, full-upper and full-lower dentures, and repair or adjustment |