| Title: |
Challenges and resilience of Taiwan's oral health care system after Covid-19 pandemic |
| Authors: |
Ting-Chen Chen, Eddie Hsiang-Hua Lai, Fang-Yu Lo, Li-Jin Wang, Wender Lin |
| Source: |
Journal of the Formosan Medical Association, Vol 123, Iss , Pp S157-S162 (2024) |
| Publisher Information: |
Elsevier, 2024. |
| Publication Year: |
2024 |
| Collection: |
LCC:Medicine (General) |
| Subject Terms: |
COVID-19, Dental workforce, Oral healthcare system, Medicine (General), R5-920 |
| More Details: |
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). |
| Document Type: |
article |
| File Description: |
electronic resource |
| Language: |
English |
| ISSN: |
0929-6646 |
| Relation: |
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0929664624004765; https://doaj.org/toc/0929-6646 |
| DOI: |
10.1016/j.jfma.2024.09.039 |
| Access URL: |
https://doaj.org/article/0e3c31d39be24c3da7e3322a25c32020 |
| Accession Number: |
edsdoj.0e3c31d39be24c3da7e3322a25c32020 |
| Database: |
Directory of Open Access Journals |
