BPJS Kesehatan Covers Dental Scaling: Here's How
Dental scaling, or the removal of tartar, is crucial for oral health. If left uncleaned, accumulated tartar can damage teeth and gums, potentially triggering inflammation. The medical procedure to remove built-up tartar and plaque is known as dental scaling, and the cost is generally not cheap. You would need to prepare at least Rp500,000 for dental scaling at a private clinic. The good news is that the public can obtain dental scaling treatment free of charge using BPJS Kesehatan.
Requirements for Dental Scaling Using BPJS Kesehatan
It should be noted that dental scaling is only free with BPJS Kesehatan if there is a medical indication, not for aesthetic reasons. “Dental scaling for acute gingivitis (gum inflammation) can be covered by BPJS Kesehatan with a coverage period of once every two years,” BPJS Kesehatan stated via its official Twitter account (@BPJSKesehatanRI). “The examination can be carried out at a registered First-Level Health Facility (FKTP) based on medical indication and cannot be done at one’s own request,” BPJS Kesehatan continued. Through this statement, BPJS Kesehatan only covers dental scaling treatment based on medical indication, not for aesthetic reasons. This is also stipulated in the National Health Insurance-Healthy Indonesia Card (JKN-KIS) service guidelines by BPJS Kesehatan. “Health services for aesthetic purposes are not covered by JKN-KIS,” BPJS Kesehatan wrote.
Procedure for Dental Scaling Using BPJS Kesehatan
BPJS Kesehatan participants visit a first-level health facility (faskes), namely a community health centre (Puskesmas) or clinic. At the first-level health facility, the BPJS Kesehatan participant or patient needs to complete the administrative process by showing an active BPJS Kesehatan card.
A dentist will conduct an examination. If there is a medical indication requiring the patient to receive dental scaling services, the scaling can be performed free of charge at the first-level health facility.
If there is a more serious medical indication requiring a referral to an advanced health facility, the BPJS Kesehatan participant must first obtain a doctor’s referral from the first-level health facility. The referral letter will be used to seek treatment at the referral hospital, specifically with a specialist or sub-specialist dentist.