Bonaire: number of dental visits down
In 2017, 46 percent of Bonaire’s population aged 15 years or older paid a visit to the dentist.
This is less than in 2013, when 56 percent of the residents had a dental visit. Last year, 10 percent went to see a physiotherapist or remedial therapist, down from 21 percent in 2013. Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports this on the basis of new figures.
As of 1 January 2015, people aged 18 years or older are not reimbursed for most types of dental care. Until that time, they were eligible for a one-off restorative dental treatment.
Two-thirds of 15 to 24-year-olds visited a dentist in 2017
In 2017, the share of people visiting a dentist at least once was lower than in 2013. This decline was sharpest among lower-educated people, namely from 51 to 38 percent. There was no significant drop in dental visits in most age categories, with the exception of 25 to 44-year-olds. Of this group, 40 percent went to see a dentist in 2017, versus 57 percent in 2013.
Dental patients paying fewer visits
The average number of dental visits by patients in 2017 declined relative to 2013: from 7 to 4 visits. Patients with a low education background visited a dentist over 8 times in 2013, while they went 4 times in 2017. The number of dental visits among 15 to 24-year-old patients dropped from 9 to 5.
Decline in physiotherapy visits strongest among low-skilled
As of 1 January 2015, the number of physiotherapy treatments covered by health insurance has become limited. The number of people visiting a physiotherapist or remedial therapist in 2017 was smaller compared to 2013. The decrease was sharpest among 45 to 64-year-olds. Of the people with a lower level of education, 20 percent visited a physiotherapist at least once in 2013, versus 7 percent in 2017. Among 45 to 64-year-olds, this percentage share dropped from 25 to 11 percent. Those receiving treatment from a physiotherapist had just as many therapy sessions in 2017 as in 2013.
