Can Dental Insurance Transform Essential Dental Care in India??- Assessing the Role of Oral Physicians: A Cross-Sectional Study and Review

Over the last 50 years India has achieved a lot in terms of General Health Insurance, but comprehensive Dental Health Insurance is almost non-existent.But with growing awareness about dental care among consumers there is a need for dental coverage. The study was conducted to explore the role of Oral Physician  to facilitate  the design,  implementation and claim settlements by health insurance companies  because of their first hand knowledge in the process of diagnosis, investigation and treatment plan.

Aim of the Study:

• Health insurance companies for the awareness and feasibility of dental health insurance policy in India
• Role of Oral Physician was assessed to provide expert opinion for dental insurance policy
• To evaluate the opinion of patients regarding usefulness of Dental Insurance

Material & Method:

A survey was performed through a questionnaire which was answered via electronic and personal communication by 30 executives of health insurance companies, 45 private practitioners and 50 patients.

Results:

We found that only ICICI LOMBARD and APOLL DKV provided dental insurance. None of the executive was aware of Oral Physician and thus unaware regarding the role an oral physician can play in dental insurance and 100% practitioner were in favor of dental insurance.