Public dental clinics across the country began operating under a new funding system from January 1, 2026. The change, introduced by the National Health Insurance Company (CNAM), shifts the way public dental institutions receive funding for the care they provide.
Previously, clinics were funded based on a “per patient” or per capita principle. This meant they received a fixed payment for each registered patient, regardless of how much dental care that patient required or received. Under the new model, clinics will now be funded for each specific service they provide, often referred to as a “per service” or fee-for-service approach.
Ion Dodon, CEO of CNAM, explained the goal of this new payment system is to encourage dental clinics to offer more services. By linking funding directly to the care provided, CNAM aims to improve patient access to all necessary dental treatments included in the Unified Program.
To ensure a smooth transition, CNAM organized a working meeting with public dental care providers to discuss how this new funding mechanism will operate in 2026. The meeting also addressed important topics such as the protection of patient rights under the new system.
At present, CNAM works with nearly 55 public dental clinics nationwide. The hope is that the new payment structure will lead to better services and make dental care more accessible to everyone who needs it.
Tags: dental care