Publication date: Oct 05, 2024
This paper examines the resilience of Taiwan’s oral healthcare system in response to COVID-19, focusing on pre-pandemic conditions, pandemic impacts, and policy recommendations for future resilience. In Taiwan, oral diseases were prevalent, with 80. 48% of adults affected by periodontitis in 2016, and 65. 43% of 5-year-old children experiencing dental caries. Taiwan’s National Health Insurance (NHI) covers over 99% of the population, providing comprehensive dental care. The global budget (GB) payment system, implemented in 1998, ensured financial stability. During the pandemic, dental visits in Taiwan decreased by 5. 1% in 2021 compared to 2019. Despite reduced visits, the GB system maintained financial stability, mitigating financial impacts on healthcare institutions. The pandemic generally negatively affected healthcare workers’ well-being, increasing resignation intentions. However, the number of practicing dentists in Taiwan remained stable from 2016 to 2022, with slight increases. Urban-rural disparities persisted, and workplace transitions increased, indicating greater mobility among dental professionals. To enhance resilience, the following recommendations are proposed: 1. Strengthen hierarchy of oral healthcare system: Balance dental resources across regions, and improve referrals between hospital and clinics; 2. Provide integrated patient-centered care: Integrate oral health into disease prevention and offer comprehensive services across all stages of life; 3. Integrate digital technology: Promote teledentistry and leverage Taiwan’s strengths in information and communication technology (ICT).
Concepts | Keywords |
---|---|
Dentists | COVID-19 |
Pandemic | Dental workforce |
Rural | Oral healthcare system |
Taiwan |
Semantics
Type | Source | Name |
---|---|---|
disease | MESH | oral health |
disease | MESH | Covid-19 pandemic |
disease | MESH | periodontitis |
disease | MESH | dental caries |
drug | DRUGBANK | Isoxaflutole |