Head of Czech Chamber of Dentists warns ban on amalgam will hit low-income groups hard

The head of the Czech Chamber of Dentists, Roman Šmucler, has warned that unless there is a free alternative to amalgam fillings, the upcoming ban on amalgam will discourage lower-income groups from getting dental care. He said this could lead to a state similar to that in some countries east of Czechia, where people refuse fillings and get their teeth pulled instead. Amalgam fillings should be gradually phased out and banned as of 2026. The Ministry of Health is planning a change that would allow insurance companies to cover 40 percent of the cost of a white filling, which means that clients would still have to contribute several hundred to several thousand crowns to the cost of one filling. Šmucler says one type of filling should be completely covered by insurance.