Finnish dental care reimbursements primarily benefit high-income earners, study finds

A recent study by the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (KKV) reveals that high-income earners are the main beneficiaries of Kela reimbursements for dental care. Researchers are questioning whether public funds allocated to these reimbursements could be more effectively utilized to promote oral health and improve access to care.

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It is very rare for a patient using public dental care to switch to private services.

In 2025, Kela reimbursements for private dental care amounted to nearly 56 million euros. The study suggests alternative uses for these funds. Dental care reimbursements were last increased in May 2025, following a rise in basic dental examination reimbursements from 15.50 euros to 30 euros in 2024. These increases were projected to raise public spending, and indeed, reimbursements grew by approximately 12 million euros, or 27 percent, between 2023 and 2025. The government's proposal anticipates further annual increases of about 12 million euros.

Riku Buri, research director at KKV, stated that increasing reimbursements has not achieved its goal of shifting patients from public to private dental care or reducing the load on public services. "It is very rare for a patient using public dental care to switch to private services," Buri explained. The study also examined treatment choices for individuals moving to new locations. While relocation often breaks ties with old providers, most patients maintained their previous choice between public and private care. Buri concluded, "Kela reimbursements have a very limited impact on patients' sector choices."

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Kela reimbursements have a very limited impact on patients' sector choices.

The KKV report analyzed reimbursement cuts from 2015-2016 and increases in 2024-2025. "During the current government term, the use of private dental care services has not increased. It has remained at the level of the last government term," Buri noted. "This suggests that the beneficiaries of the reimbursement increase are those who would have used private dental care services even without the increase." The report found that the benefits of increased reimbursements have translated into lower prices for high-income clients. As early as November 2024, impact assessments for the government's proposal acknowledged that "low-income individuals' opportunities to use private services will continue to be worse than those of high-income individuals due to the out-of-pocket portion to be paid for services."

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During the current government term, the use of private dental care services has not increased. It has remained at the level of the last government term. This suggests that the beneficiaries of the reimbursement increase are those who would have used private dental care services even without the increase.

This indicates the government was aware it would primarily serve high-income individuals when enacting these changes. The researchers linked dental care visit data with clients' socioeconomic backgrounds, finding that private dental care users earn significantly more than the Finnish average, are more often employed, and hold better socioeconomic positions. "The Kela reimbursement system cannot be justified in terms of income distribution, as it transfers income to people who are, on average, wealthier. It is an inefficient income transfer," Buri stated.

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low-income individuals' opportunities to use private services will continue to be worse than those of high-income individuals due to the out-of-pocket portion to be paid for services.