BANGKOK, Thailand – The National Health Security Office (NHSO) has expanded dental care access under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) scheme, known as the “30 Baht Gold Card,” through partnerships with private dental clinics. As of January 6, 2025, 1,394 private dental clinics have joined the program, providing services to 368,870 patients through 666,664 visits during the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years. The collaboration has improved access to dental care, addressing issues of long wait times and limited availability at government facilities.
According to NHSO Deputy Secretary-General Dr. Athaporn Limpanylers, the expansion builds on the “30 Baht Treatment Anywhere” policy, allowing UHC patients to access care closer to their homes. While UHC previously covered dental benefits, including prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation, access was constrained by reliance on public facilities, leading to delays of over a year for some patients. Partnering with private clinics has greatly reduced wait times and eliminated the need for additional government investment in building new facilities.
The NHSO has collaborated with the Dental Council of Thailand to integrate private clinics into the UHC system, ensuring they provide primary dental care and oral health services up to three times per year at no extra cost to patients. NHSO representatives have conducted site visits to private clinics across the country, verifying compliance with service standards and gathering feedback from both providers and patients. (NNT)
