Published on January 13, 2006

Labour Minister Somsak Thepsuthin yesterday set up a committee to tackle problems arising from the introduction of free dental services by the Social Security Office (SSO).

“The committee will sort out the problems to ensure the maximum benefits and convenience for social security members,” Somsak said yesterday after holding talks with dentist groups.

SSO director Pairote Sooksamrit will chair the committee, to be made up of representatives from the Private Dentists Association of Thailand, and state and private hospitals, he said.

There have been complaints from various parties since the SSO launched free dental services for social security members on January 1. Instead of annual dental coverage of Bt400, members are now en-titled to free fillings, extractions, cleaning and dentures at participating hospitals.

The SSO has offered a flat rate of Bt65 per registered pa-tient per year to hospitals, which can contract outside cli-nics to help provide the service at an agreed price.

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