The purpose of this study is to estimate the National Health Insurance budget needed for the Korean elderly´ s denture service coverage. For more exact estimating the budget, denture need and demand were calculated by using 2000 National Oral Health Survey data. The results were summarized as follows, 1. Over 65 years old, full denture and partial denture need per arch were each 8.5% and 16.8%. And over 70 years old, those were each 11.3% and 17.8%.
2. Over 65 years old, full denture and partial denture demand per arch were each 22.8% and 21.2%. And over 70 years old, those were each 27.7% and 21.1%.
3. Based on the denture need, the health insurance budget needed in the first operative year was about 955.4 billion won, over 65 years old and about 644.2 billion won, over 70 years old.
4. Based on the denture demand(wear), the health insurance budget needed in the first operative year was about 207.5 billion won, over 65 years old and was about 151.6 billion won, over 70 years old. If health insurance policy of elderly´ s denture service coverage is performed, actual denture wear rate is going to increase, and the budget needed is also increasing.
5. Because current National Health Insurance budget status is poor, it is difficult to execute health insurance coverage for elderly´ s denture service. Therefore we suggest that health insurance coverage for preventive service is to be considered in order to reducing denture need in the long term view.
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