Periodontal Disease Treatment Information

Common warning signs of periodontal disease

Early symptoms may be subtle. The following signs are commonly mentioned in health education; a dental check-up is recommended if present:

• Bleeding gums when brushing or flossing, red or swollen gums.
• Bad breath, gum recession, or tooth root sensitivity.
• Loose teeth, shifting, or difficulty chewing.

Stages of Periodontal Treatment and Maintenance

Periodontal disease is a chronic condition. Treatment is typically carried out in stages, and long-term maintenance is required after stabilization:

Which periodontal treatment items are covered by NHI and may not be charged separately by clinics?

According to the announcement of the National Health Insurance Administration, as long as items such as calculus removal (dental cleaning), emergency treatment for periodontal disease, periodontal dressings, subgingival scaling, periodontal flap surgery, and gingivectomy fall within the NHI coverage scope, clinics may not lawfully charge patients additionally under self-defined items:

• If periodontitis is present in 16 or more teeth in the full mouth, and 6 or more of those teeth have periodontal pockets with depth of 5 mm or more, the NHI 'Comprehensive Periodontal Treatment Program' may apply, providing detailed periodontal examination, oral health education, full-mouth subgingival scaling, and follow-up examinations.
• If a healthcare institution illegally charges out-of-pocket fees for items covered by NHI, it must refund the fees collected under Article 68 of the National Health Insurance Act, and may be fined five times the amount collected under Article 82.
• If members of the public suspect that they have been improperly charged out-of-pocket fees, they may bring a receipt and report it to the regional business group of the National Health Insurance Administration where the clinic is located or to the Taiwan Dental Association.

Which periodontal treatment items are covered by health insurance and may not be separately charged by clinics?

According to the announcement by the National Health Insurance Administration, as long as items such as calculus removal (scaling), emergency treatment of periodontal disease, periodontal dressing, subgingival scaling, periodontal flap surgery, and gingivectomy fall within the scope of health insurance coverage, clinics may not, by law, charge patients separately under self-created items:

• If periodontal inflammation is present in 16 or more teeth in the entire mouth, and 6 or more of these teeth have periodontal pocket depth of 5 mm or more, the health insurance 'Periodontal Disease Integrated Care Program' may apply, providing detailed periodontal examination, health education and care, full-mouth subgingival scaling treatment, and follow-up examinations.
• If a clinic collects fees in violation of regulations for items covered by health insurance, it shall refund the collected fees in accordance with Article 68 of the National Health Insurance Act, and may be subject to a fine of 5 times the amount collected in accordance with Article 82.
• If members of the public suspect they have been improperly charged out-of-pocket fees, they may bring their receipts and report the matter to the regional business group of the National Health Insurance Administration where the clinic is located, or to the National Union of Dental Associations.