The Karnataka government has taken a significant decision to make dental treatment easier for the poor and middle class people of the state. The ‘Dant Bhagya’ scheme that was being run in the state has now been included under the ‘Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Janarogya Yojana-Mukhyamantri Arogya Karnataka (AB PMJAY-CM’s Arogya Karnataka)’ scheme.
With this government move, eligible beneficiaries will now be able to get free full or partial dentures more easily. The government has issued an order to include the treatment codes of the scheme in the AB PMJAY platform.
Under this scheme, BPL (PHH) card holders aged 45 years and above are eligible. Those who have completely lost their teeth or have lost three or more teeth can get free treatment.
Currently, this facility is available in 44 dental colleges and 13 district hospitals in the state, and the process of registration and getting treatment will be simplified as it is included under Ayushman Bharat.
The government has fixed a package price of about ₹1,000 for partial dentures and about ₹3,000 for complete dentures, the cost of which will be borne by the scheme itself.
As per the orders of the Department of Health and Family Welfare, this system is being implemented through the Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust (SAST), and the monitoring and payment process of the scheme will be systematic.
Overall, this new measure has made it easier for poor people suffering from dental problems to get free dentures.