JERUSALEM, Israel: At its recent meeting, the Israeli cabinet unanimously approved the extension of subsidised dental care provision to children up to age 12. From July onwards, free dental treatments, such as X-rays and root canals, will be available to an overall number of 1.5 million children and their families.

Since free dental care was only provided to Israeli children up to age ten, extension plans were submitted by Deputy Minister of Health Yaakov Litzman when the government took office following the elections in 2009.

With the new resolution, an additional estimated number of 267,000 children will be entitled to free dental treatment. Overall, 1.5 million children in the country will benefit from the cabinet’s decision.

“Dental care reform has led to social justice for Israeli children. Tens of thousands of children will continue to receive free dental care as part of the health basket thanks to this move and we will continue to advance the other stages of the reform,” said Litzman.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the decision and said that it will certainly receive wide governmental support. Following the cabinet meeting, he informed the public that subsidised dental care will include X-rays, plaque removal, fillings, dental first aid, reconstructions, root canals and crowns.

As these treatments had previously been a financial obstacle for many families, approving the plan is a step that will save hundreds and perhaps thousands of shekels per annum for parents with small children, Netanyahu said.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the state financed over two million free dental treatments in 2011. The new programme will cost NIS80 million (€16.3 million).