An uptick in dental visits in Germany has been attributed to the 2013 elimination of a 10 euro ($13 U.S.) consultation fee charged by the state health insurance program.
Treatment cases rose by 2.6% in the first quarter of 2013 to 20.7 million, compared with the same quarter in the previous year, according to an article by Xinhua News Agency. The second quarter gained momentum, as 21.8 million dental visits took place, a 5.8% rise compared with the same quarter in 2012. The fee was charged for doctor, dentist, or psychotherapist visits from 2004 through 2012.
The German coalition government ended the fee after determining that the health insurance program is in good financial standing, the article explained.
However, according to negotiations taking place among Germany's political parties, health insurance budget shortfalls are looming in 2015.
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