The Andalusian government has launched a new initiative to provide free dental check-ups for children aged six and 12, rolling out in two stages.
The Andalusian Public Health Service (SAS) is contacting families directly to schedule appointments at local primary care centers. In the first phase, families of six-year-olds will be called, followed by families of 12-year-olds in the second phase.
Antonio Sanz, the regional government spokesperson for health, described the effort as an “active patient recruitment campaign.”
This initiative is part of a broader plan to optimize dental services across Andalucía. According to Sanz, the regional government is also expanding coverage for children from birth to 15 years. Measures include updated equipment, new facilities, and additional staff, supported by a 28 million euro investment. Currently, Andalucía has 237 dental clinics staffed by 247 dental professionals.
Each clinic includes a dentist and a TCAE (auxiliary nursing care technician). Since the end of last year, six new teams have joined primary care clinics, and seven additional dentists have been added to support dental procedures in hospitals.
The improvements align with the Andalusian Comprehensive Oral Health Plan, which now covers children from birth to five years and places particular emphasis on age groups with high oral health priorities: two to three years, six years, and 12 years.
Dental follow-ups are coordinated with pediatricians, pediatric nurses, and school nurses, who actively encourage families to attend annual check-ups.