Free Dental Care For Spanish Residents - Over 65s
Posted: 16 Sep 2025 20:51
This thread was prompted by something I read online today, where someone (Dutch national, Spanish resident) was asking where she could go locally to get free dental treatment.
She referred to this article - https://spanjevandaag.com/30/07/2025/gr ... in-spanje/
Google translate:
Since this year, all Spanish residents aged 65 and over have access to free dental care through the national health system (which includes public healthcare, not private dentists). The Spanish government has incorporated this new measure into the public health care package, giving seniors access to a range of treatments free of charge.
Coverage includes, among other things, dental cleanings with protective equipment, preventative treatments to combat dental aging, and oral hygiene education. In addition, tooth extractions, emergency treatments for infections, and biopsies of suspicious spots are now available free of charge for this age group.
This expansion is part of the national action plan for primary care, which runs from 2025 to 2027. The plan, approved at the end of 2024, specifically targets vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, people with low incomes, and now also seniors. A total of €180 million has been allocated for this purpose.
Figures show that over 9 million people in Spain are 65 or older, representing approximately 20 percent of the population. Of this group, almost 99 percent have experienced tooth decay at some point, and 40 percent currently have active tooth decay. This highlights the necessity and welcome of this measure.
According to calculations by a research agency, providing this dental care on a permanent basis would cost between €517 and €853 million annually. Nevertheless, the government sees this as an investment in equal access to care, especially given the significant regional differences in what is currently offered.
Madrid is already leading the way by offering free dental care and dentures to residents aged 80 and older. This local approach is now being rolled out nationwide to reduce regional inequality and improve the health of older adults.
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A bit of Googling came up with the following article from the Euro Weekly News back in February.
https://euroweeklynews.com/2025/01/02/f ... from-2025/
EWN makes no reference to the over 65s, but the wording in the Dutch article seems to suggest that the scheme has been extended to include the over 65s.
She referred to this article - https://spanjevandaag.com/30/07/2025/gr ... in-spanje/
Google translate:
Free dental care for over-65s in Spain
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Since this year, all Spanish residents aged 65 and over have access to free dental care through the national health system (which includes public healthcare, not private dentists). The Spanish government has incorporated this new measure into the public health care package, giving seniors access to a range of treatments free of charge.
Coverage includes, among other things, dental cleanings with protective equipment, preventative treatments to combat dental aging, and oral hygiene education. In addition, tooth extractions, emergency treatments for infections, and biopsies of suspicious spots are now available free of charge for this age group.
This expansion is part of the national action plan for primary care, which runs from 2025 to 2027. The plan, approved at the end of 2024, specifically targets vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, people with low incomes, and now also seniors. A total of €180 million has been allocated for this purpose.
Figures show that over 9 million people in Spain are 65 or older, representing approximately 20 percent of the population. Of this group, almost 99 percent have experienced tooth decay at some point, and 40 percent currently have active tooth decay. This highlights the necessity and welcome of this measure.
According to calculations by a research agency, providing this dental care on a permanent basis would cost between €517 and €853 million annually. Nevertheless, the government sees this as an investment in equal access to care, especially given the significant regional differences in what is currently offered.
Madrid is already leading the way by offering free dental care and dentures to residents aged 80 and older. This local approach is now being rolled out nationwide to reduce regional inequality and improve the health of older adults.
------------------------------
A bit of Googling came up with the following article from the Euro Weekly News back in February.
https://euroweeklynews.com/2025/01/02/f ... from-2025/
EWN makes no reference to the over 65s, but the wording in the Dutch article seems to suggest that the scheme has been extended to include the over 65s.