The healthcare system and the provision of oral healthcare in EU Member States: France

• Published in: British dental journal Vol. 220; no. 4; pp. 197 - 203
• Main Authors: Pegon-Machat, E., Faulks, D., Eaton, K. A., Widström, E., Hugues, P., Tubert-Jeannin, S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 26.02.2016; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 692/699/3020; 692/700/3032/3086; 692/700/3032/3099; Delivery of Health Care - economics; Delivery of Health Care - organization & administration; Dental Care - economics; Dental Care - organization & administration; Dentistry; Education, Dental; European Union; France - epidemiology; Health Care Costs; Health Promotion - organization & administration; Healthcare Financing; Humans; Insurance, Dental; Medicine; Oral Health; Preventive Dentistry - organization & administration; Stomatognathic Diseases - epidemiology
• ISSN: 0007-0610; 1476-5373
• DOI: 10.1038/sj.bdj.2016.138

Key Points Explains the ways in which oral healthcare is provided and financed in France. Highlights the absence of a dental public health structure. Identifies the current challenges to the system of reducing costs and moving towards a more preventive healthcare model. The French oral health system is based on the provision of dental treatment and is organised around a fee-per-item model. The system is funded by a complex mix of public and complementary health insurance schemes. The system is successful in that it provides access to affordable dental treatment to the majority of the French population. However, France had the highest health expenditure as a share of gross domestic product (GDP) of all European Union countries in 2008 and rising oral health inequalities may be exacerbated by the manner in which oral health care is provided and funded. In addition, there is no organised national strategy for the prevention of oral diseases or for oral health promotion.