From May 18 when dentistry clinics resumed operations at the decision of the operations chief, a requirement came into place to use level 3 protection regardless of what procedures are being performed. Doctors and assistants receiving patients must make use of the full suite of safeguards when receiving every single patient: medical gowns, waterproof coat or apron, hat, gloves, respirator and protective face shield.
When performing a procedure, all the equipment is disposed of and new pieces are worn, while face shields are disinfected. The extra protective equipment had to be purchased through the funds of the dentistry clinics themselves, and they have received no state support for this. Furthermore, based on Lithuanian law, healthcare establishments are non-VAT payers, thus they purchase all equipment with 21per cent VAT included and cannot reclaim anything.
Depending on the price of the equipment purchased, fees could have risen in various clinics from ten to 40 EUR, and CLINIC|DPC has decided to remove this charge. The clinic network’s director Irma Kvedarienė says that this is being done for the sake of both patients and clinic staff.
“In the public domain, we see much outcry over the current situation. People often think that dentists are thieves, conjuring up some sort of charges so that they can profit. This opinion is further reinforced by irresponsible government statements that the charges should not be taken because the equipment is compensated. This is not the case – the equipment is only issued to state public healthcare establishments, while private dentistry clinics must purchase all their equipment with their own funds.“
“While these are significant expenses, we have decided to no longer charge our patients for the extra protective equipment used, and we will cover the expenses ourselves. We choose to do so out of solidarity with our patients, who have trusted us for a number of years. We also wish to thus protect our staff from angry comments and an unpleasant working atmosphere, where doctors are mocked for being usurers,” I. Kvedarienė says.
All eleven CLINIC|DPC clinics receive combined 300-400 clients per day. The cost of protective equipment used per patient is around 15 euros when patients are received by two medical staff. By halting the charge for equipment, the clinics will lose a daily average of 5,000 EUR. Over one month, the clinics will have to cover more than 100 thousand euros in losses for protective equipment purchased out of their own budgets.
Nevertheless, I. Kvedarienė is glad that this step by the clinic network will be both an investment in the patients’ health, and will make dentistry services timely and more accessible.
“What is most important is that people should not delay, as delayed treatment is always more difficult for both patients and doctors. We already have large waiting lines, thus we can by no means allow this problem to worsen. Our goal is accessible and timely dentistry services.
“I will not, however, hide that under the current situation and given the government’s current attitude, it is difficult to do. Budgetary institutions were transferred money from the State Patient Fund despite not working during the lockdown, and when they renewed their operations they were also assisted in financing the purchase of protective equipment. Meanwhile, we are left without any support. Such attitudes are inconceivable. However, we strive to do what we can on our part because we must ensure service accessibility for our patients and work for our staff of almost 140 employees,” the clinic network head continues
