NHIS expands children's dental care pilot program during summer break

The National Health Insurance Service announced Wednesday it is expanding its children's dental care pilot program to help elementary school students maintain proper oral health during the summer break.

The children's dental care pilot program was introduced in May 2021 to promote oral health among growing children. Since July 2024, it has been operating as a second-phase pilot with expanded coverage in both regions and eligible grade levels.

Children enrolled in the program can visit a participating dental clinic once per semester to receive oral examinations and hygiene assessments, check tooth development and overall dental health, and access oral health education and preventive services such as fluoride treatment.

The program is currently running in eight regions: Seoul; the South Jeolla Province-Gwangju integrated special city, covering Dong-gu, Seo-gu, Nam-gu, Buk-gu, Gwangsan-gu and Jangseong-gun; Daejeon; Sejong; Wonju in Gangwon Province; Gyeongju in North Gyeongsang Province; Uiseong-gun in North Gyeongsang Province; and Gimhae in South Gyeongsang Province. All elementary school students enrolled at schools in those areas are eligible to participate.

Those wishing to join can apply in advance and fill out a health questionnaire through the NHIS website or mobile app, then visit a nearby participating dental clinic.

National health insurance subscribers and their dependents pay a 10 percent co-pay for the service, while medical aid recipients and those eligible for reduced cost-sharing under the near-poverty program pay nothing.

However, services beyond the program's core offerings — such as panoramic X-rays, dental sealants and cavity treatment — will incur additional charges.

"Oral care habits formed in childhood shape a person's dental health for life," an NHIS official said. "We ask parents to take advantage of the summer break and encourage their children to use the children's dental care service."