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Debate
PART OF THE BODY: Caring for and repairing the teeth is as natural as having your blood pressure checked, says Terje Haugom.Frank May / NTB
It seems that Helse-Norge, along with our elected officials, has yet to grasp a fundamental truth: the oral cavity is an integral part of the human body. Within our public health system, specially trained doctors and surgeons are on hand to address various ailments and injuries that afflict us, often requiring little more than a minimal co-payment. If that wasn’t the case, many individuals might hesitate to seek medical attention for fear of exorbitant costs.
In stark contrast, a visit to the dentist—a crucial component of maintaining our “dining room,” as it were—can be prohibitively expensive. Dentists are, indeed, doctors, and receiving care for our teeth should be viewed as just as essential as having one’s blood pressure monitored, swollen tonsils examined, or a fractured foot treated. After all, dental issues are a reality that no one can entirely escape.
Thus, I urge the political parties in the Storting to take action: let’s initiate a proposal to integrate Norwegian dentists into Helse-Norge. Patient co-payments for dental care should mirror those of other medical visits, regardless of the nature of the dental work. It’s time to recognize oral health as a vital aspect of our overall well-being.
