Thai Government Establishes Dedicated Dental Health Department

THAILAND: The Thai government has announced plans to create a specialised dental health department dedicated to advancing oral healthcare services across the nation. The news came from the Permanent Secretary for Public Health, Opas Karnkawinpong, who conveyed the government’s acknowledgment of the Senate Public Health Committee’s proposal to establish this crucial department. 

While discussions with the incoming health minister are pending, this move signals a proactive approach to address oral health needs.

Comprehensive Access for All Provinces

The establishment of the dental health department is expected to unfold over several years, with a strong commitment from the Ministry of Public Health to make these services accessible to the public as the department takes shape. 

Thai Health Ministry to Establish Dental Hospitals in Each Province

A notable aspect of the ministry’s strategy is the plan to inaugurate a dental hospital in each of Thailand’s 77 provinces. This visionary initiative aims to provide comprehensive access to oral healthcare services, particularly benefiting residents in upcountry regions.

In addition to the dental health department, the Thai government is actively addressing the shortage of healthcare professionals in the country. Opas Karnkawinpong discussed the proposal for a new medical school at the Praboromarajchanok Institute, a public higher education institution catering to public health workers. 

The institute is gearing up to begin recruiting medical students as early as next year. The primary goal is to bolster the number of doctors available to serve in rural areas, thereby improving healthcare accessibility across Thailand. Notably, this year saw the institute launch a new medical degree program, in addition to its existing offerings in nursing, public health, and health sciences, aimed at mitigating the healthcare workforce deficit, as reported by the Bangkok Post.

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Debate Surrounding Healthcare System Enhancements

While these initiatives signify the government’s commitment to enhancing healthcare, concerns have been raised by Nimit Tianudom, a board member of the National Health Security Office (NHSO) and director of the Aids Access Foundation. 

Nimit expressed reservations about the proposed public health flowchart put forth by the Pheu Thai party. This flowchart, intended to improve the country’s universal healthcare scheme, including the widely recognised “gold card,” suggests reforms in the queuing system and the utilisation of ID cards for all health-related matters. Interestingly, these proposed reforms align closely with initiatives already implemented by the NHSO.

The establishment of a dedicated dental health department, coupled with efforts to bolster the healthcare workforce and streamline healthcare systems, underscores the Thai government’s dedication to advancing healthcare accessibility and standards nationwide.