MPs demand action on dentists’ fees, call for return of fixed prices

The future of an experiment allowing dentists to set their own fees appeared to be in doubt on Friday after parliament voted in favour of an immediate end.


A narrow majority of MPs backed a motion calling on health minister Edith Schippers to reintroduce fixed prices as soon as possible. Schippers is against cancellation, arguing three months is too soon to properly assess the effect of the changes.
However, the minister said she would abide by parliament’s wishes. It will take some six months for fixed fees to be brought back in, she told MPs during the debate.
Dentists have already vowed to take legal action if the experiment is stopped. ‘This decision knows only losers and all the positive effects for patients will end,’ the national dentistry organisation NMT said in a statement.
Quality
Dentists have been free to determine their own charges since the beginning of the year, a move Schippers said would improve quality and lead to lower charges.
However, fees went up an average 9.6% in the first three months of this year, according to research by the national health authority NZa which was published at the end of June. An ordinary check-up has gone up by an average 3.1% while crowns are some 18.5% more expensive to place, the NZa survey showed.
Most dental insurance policies only cover a fixed amount of money, leaving patients to make up the difference.
Insurance company VGZ said in February dentists were abusing the system by increasing their charges up to 10%. Research by Nos television also indicated fees had gone up sharply.
Are MPs right to bring back fixed fees for dentistry? Have your say in the comment box below.

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