Table 5 Evaluation of the fulfilment of the aims of the reform during the study period up to December 2004.
From: Oral Health Care Reform in Finland – aiming to reduce inequity in care provision
Main aims | Implementation | Evaluation of success |
|---|---|---|
Integration of oral health care in the general health care provision system | - Access to the PDS became similar to that in the primary health care (the whole population) - Treatment according to need as in primary health care - Reimbursement of private care according to the same principles as in private primary health care | - Clear improvement in the principles of care provision in the PDS |
Improved access to care for adults | - Minor increase in the number of patients seen in the PDS - Total number of private patients remained the same | - Minor improvements in access to the PDS, long queues for the PDS in a number of municipalities - No improvement in access to the private sector |
Improved equity due to reduced cost barriers | - Subsidised treatments in the PDS opened for all adults - All private patients became eligible for reimbursements on an equal basis | - Society carried a bigger part of treatment costs as intended |