Dubai health insurance plan 'no place for dentists' says industry

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Managed care plans have traditionally failed in the dental industry.

Dubai dentists have registered their opposition to dental care being included in the new emirate-wide insurance plan, aimed at providing basic healthcare to all residents.

The insurance scheme, unveiled by the Dubai Health Authority last month, requires employers to pay a set fee to the government to cover care costs for expatriate residents and their dependents.

Dentists are keen to stop dental treatment being included in the plan, which will see primary healthcare physicians receive a flat fee for each patient they treat. In a poll by MED, dentists claimed any move to include private dental clinics in a similar managed care plans would be disastrous for the industry.

"[DHA] has not included dental yet, but if they do our business will be lost," Dr Erica Edwards, clinic manager at Dr Hibah Shata's dental clinic, said. "For example, if they give us US$544 per patient for the full year and a patient needs two root canals; each one costs that amount."

The introduction of ‘treadmill' dentistry would compromise patient care, she added.

"Dentists are not going to give patients good materials or good service because they are losing money...they will cut corners."

Dr Ahmad Amer, owner of The Dental Spa, agreed. "You only have to look at the [UK] National Health Service to see how mandatory, government-subsidised schemes work."

Dr Edwards claimed that many dental professionals view the scheme as an extra tax for private practitioners. "It is a monopoly by the government. They want private clinics to become part of the network of the Dubai Health Authority."

Dr Dina Debaybo, dental director at Boston University Institute for Dental Research and Education, was a lone voice in favour of grouping dental treatment under the planned mandatory insurance scheme.

"If it is a functional dental need then it should be covered, especially for young children," she said. "Dental healthcare is expensive, and the insurance premiums are high... basic dentistry should be covered."

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