Parents’ Perspective on Their Children’s Dental Treatments Covered by Public Health Insurance in Romania – a Pilot Study

Abstract

Aim and objectives: This study evaluates Romanian parents' attitudes and behaviors concerning their children's dental treatments covered by public health insurance. Material and methods: A cross-sectional survey involving 40 parents whose children received dental care reimbursed by the National Health Insurance was conducted. Participants provided data through a 14-question questionnaire on oral hygiene, dental treatment history, and sociodemographic information. Results: The majority of treatments were reactive rather than preventive, with fillings being the most common procedure. Despite limited budgets, satisfaction with the quality of treatments and the treatment environment was high among parents. Conclusions: Although dental care was often sought only in emergencies, the overall satisfaction with the services provided suggests a positive acceptance of the current insurance system. The findings underscore the need for policies that encourage preventive dental care practices for children.