Perspectives on oral health care

Healthy teeth in a healthy mouth are of great importance to daily functioning and well-being. Primary oral care has undergone many changes in the past years, including changes in funding, practice organisation and care offerings. Society increasingly expects care providers to show accountability for the quality of care provided. Dentists also face this issue. There are signs that the quality of oral care is not always transparent, and that there is substantial practice variation between dentists. These signs were the reason for the Health Council to examine the evidence base of oral care in closer detail. To what extent can it be strengthened and would this lead to improved care? A specialised Committee has been appointed to answer these questions. The activities of this Committee are especially relevant given the current experiment with free market rates in oral care in the Netherlands.