Impact of poverty on oral health and dental visits: lessons from the benefits affair
Impact of poverty on oral health and dental visits: lessons from the benefits affair
ByS. Begovic M.H. van der Veen C. Derks A. Ensink K. Jerkovic—Cosic M.W. van der Linden
on July 8, 2025
The benefits affair has left many people in the Netherlands in debt, including people struggling with overdue oral care. The impact of the benefits affair and debts on the oral health and oral health of the victims was investigated. Data was obtained through 12 interviews with victims and care workers. Participants reported significant barriers to access to oral care for people with debts, resulting in overdue oral care and budgetary restrictions in treatment choices. Responders identified oral care as an important expense in the recovery program, emphasizing the need for improved access. This research shows the importance of improved accessibility to oral care. Guidelines and the involvement of dental specialists in assessing oral care quotes are needed to reduce the burden on care providers.
What do we know?In the Netherlands, almost 1 million people live in poverty and the number of people in trouble due to debt is increasing. Low-income people, especially those with debts, have difficulty visiting dental care providers.What's new?For the first time, the experiences of both victims of the benefits affair and care workers with recovery help in the field of oral health were identified. The victims were struck by the enormous distrust and shame, which further hampers their search for help.Practical applicationFor dental care providers, this study provides insight that it is important to approach patients in vulnerable positions with respect and to be open to discussions about financial problems, for example when preparing a treatment plan and discussing the necessary versus available budget to follow the desired treatment plan.
Introduction
In the Netherlands, almost 1 million people live in poverty and the number of people in trouble due to debt is increasing (National Government, 2024a; National Government, 2024b). In 2024, even 46% of households will be affected..
Informationen
Publication date
July 8, 2025
Quote
Begovic S, van der Veen MH, Derks C, Ensink A, Jerković-Ćosić K, van der Linden MW. Impact of poverty on oral health and dental visits: lessons from the benefits affair Ned Tijdsche Tandheel 2025; 132:346-353
DOI
https://doi.org/10.5177/ntvt.2025.07/08.24109
This article is part of the July 2025 knowledge test. You can find the knowledge test in My NTVT
Author (s)
S. Begovic
M.H. van der Veen
C. Derks
A. Ensink
K. Jerkovic—Cosic
M.W. van der Linden
More information
Author Information
- S. Begovic1M.H. van der Veen2.3C. Derks5A. Ensink6K. Jerkovic-Cosic1.4M.W. van der Linden1From the sections 1Society and Oral Health, 2Pediatric dentistry and 3Preventive Dentistry at the Academic Center for Dentistry Amsterdam, the 4Research group Innovations in Preventive Care at Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, 5dentist trained at the Academic Center for Dentistry Amsterdam, 6from Custom work in Amsterdam Date of acceptance: February 28, 2025Address: mw. S. Begovic, ACTA, 3004 Avenue Gustav Mahler, 1081 LA Amsterdams.begovic@acta.nl
.avif)