Bonaire: number of dental visits down
| 2017 (%) | 2013 (%) | |
|---|---|---|
| General practitioner | 74.2 | 78.1 |
| Dentist | 46.4 | 56.2 |
| Specialist | 40.4 | 40 |
| Hospital admission | 11 | 9.7 |
| Physiotherapy | 10.3 | 21.4 |
As of 1 January 2015, people aged 18 years or older are not reimbursed for most types of dental care. Until that time, they were eligible for a one-off restorative dental treatment.
Two-thirds of 15 to 24-year-olds visited a dentist in 2017
In 2017, the share of people visiting a dentist at least once was lower than in 2013. This decline was sharpest among lower-educated people, namely from 51 to 38 percent. There was no significant drop in dental visits in most age categories, with the exception of 25 to 44-year-olds. Of this group, 40 percent went to see a dentist in 2017, versus 57 percent in 2013.
| 2017 (%) | 2013 (%) | |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 46.4 | 56.2 |
| Age | ||
| 65 yrs or older | 35.5 | 39 |
| 45 to 64 yrs | 49.8 | 58.4 |
| 25 to 44 yrs | 39.7 | 57.2 |
| 15 to 24 yrs | 65.3 | 63.6 |
| Education level | ||
| High | 60.1 | 67.2 |
| Intermediate | 54.4 | 59.8 |
| Low | 37.6 | 51.3 |
Dental patients paying fewer visits
The average number of dental visits by patients in 2017 declined relative to 2013: from 7 to 4 visits. Patients with a low education background visited a dentist over 8 times in 2013, while they went 4 times in 2017. The number of dental visits among 15 to 24-year-old patients dropped from 9 to 5.
| 2017 (%) | 2013 (%) | |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 4.1 | 7.4 |
| Age | ||
| 45 to 64 yrs | 4.3 | 7.3 |
| 25 to 44 yrs | 3.3 | 6.7 |
| 15 to 24 yrs | 5.1 | 9.4 |
| Education level | ||
| High | 2.9 | 5.6 |
| Intermediate | 4.5 | 6.5 |
| Low | 4.3 | 8.5 |
| * = No statements can be made on the age group 65 yrs or older based on the available data. | ||
Decline in physiotherapy visits strongest among low-skilled
As of 1 January 2015, the number of physiotherapy treatments covered by health insurance has become limited. The number of people visiting a physiotherapist or remedial therapist in 2017 was smaller compared to 2013. The decrease was sharpest among 45 to 64-year-olds. Of the people with a lower level of education, 20 percent visited a physiotherapist at least once in 2013, versus 7 percent in 2017. Among 45 to 64-year-olds, this percentage share dropped from 25 to 11 percent. Those receiving treatment from a physiotherapist had just as many therapy sessions in 2017 as in 2013.
| 2017 (%) | 2013 (%) | |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 10.3 | 21.4 |
| Age* | ||
| 65 yrs or older | 14.6 | 25.4 |
| 45 to 64 yrs | 11.3 | 25.4 |
| 25 to 44 yrs | 10 | 19.9 |
| Education level | ||
| High | 17 | 23.7 |
| Intermediate | 12.2 | 22.4 |
| Low | 7.3 | 20.4 |
| * = No statements can be made on the age group 15 to 24 yrs based on the available data. | ||