Rotten luck for Lithuanian teeth

VILNIUS — Lithuanians have some of the worst dental health in the EU, new figures in a Eurobarometer report shows.

Whether it is problems with chewing or lack of access to a dentist, Lithuanians are in trouble. In fact, the southernmost Baltic state is the second-most embarrassed about their teeth in the whole European Union with 15 percent of residents afraid to [private_supervisor]show their pearly whites — or yellows.

The statistics show that 27 percent have trouble eating food because of their poor oral hygiene, the third worst in the bloc. The study also revealed that just 76 percent of residents are within 30 minutes travel time to a dentist.

The state provides dental care but patients have to pay for numerous fees for care. There are many private dental clinics in Lithuania, too, with varying prices.

Is price a problem?

Bronius Einars, deputy director of the private Lela Dental Clinic in Klaipėda told Baltic Reports that Lithuanians generally visit the dentist only in an emergency.

“There is a big problem with money. The price is not high, but for Lithuanians it is a problem,” he said admitting that the culture of bribery in the medical profession is another bottleneck for patients seeking treatment.

Einars said a small percentage of his clients came on a regular basis, but others would only visit when in pain.

Some 54 percent of Lithuanians went to the dentist for routine, or ongoing, treatment. This figure was the highest in the bloc.show their pearly whites — or yellows.

The statistics show that 27 percent have trouble eating food because of their poor oral hygiene, the third worst in the bloc. The study also revealed that just 76 percent of residents are within 30 minutes travel time to a dentist.

The state provides dental care but patients have to pay for numerous fees for care. There are many private dental clinics in Lithuania, too, with varying prices.

Is price a problem?

Bronius Einars, deputy director of the private Lela Dental Clinic in Klaipėda told Baltic Reports that Lithuanians generally visit the dentist only in an emergency.

“There is a big problem with money. The price is not high, but for Lithuanians it is a problem,” he said admitting that the culture of bribery in the medical profession is another bottleneck for patients seeking treatment.

Einars said a small percentage of his clients came on a regular basis, but others would only visit when in pain.

Some 54 percent of Lithuanians went to the dentist for routine, or ongoing, treatment. This figure was the highest in the bloc.show their pearly whites — or yellows.

The statistics show that 27 percent have trouble eating food because of their poor oral hygiene, the third worst in the bloc. The study also revealed that just 76 percent of residents are within 30 minutes travel time to a dentist.

The state provides dental care but patients have to pay for numerous fees for care. There are many private dental clinics in Lithuania, too, with varying prices.

Is price a problem?

Bronius Einars, deputy director of the private Lela Dental Clinic in Klaipėda told Baltic Reports that Lithuanians generally visit the dentist only in an emergency.

“There is a big problem with money. The price is not high, but for Lithuanians it is a problem,” he said admitting that the culture of bribery in the medical profession is another bottleneck for patients seeking treatment.

Einars said a small percentage of his clients came on a regular basis, but others would only visit when in pain.

Some 54 percent of Lithuanians went to the dentist for routine, or ongoing, treatment. This figure was the highest in the bloc.[/private_supervisor] [private_subscription 1 month]show their pearly whites — or yellows.

The statistics show that 27 percent have trouble eating food because of their poor oral hygiene, the third worst in the bloc. The study also revealed that just 76 percent of residents are within 30 minutes travel time to a dentist.

The state provides dental care but patients have to pay for numerous fees for care. There are many private dental clinics in Lithuania, too, with varying prices.

Is price a problem?

Bronius Einars, deputy director of the private Lela Dental Clinic in Klaipėda told Baltic Reports that Lithuanians generally visit the dentist only in an emergency.

“There is a big problem with money. The price is not high, but for Lithuanians it is a problem,” he said admitting that the culture of bribery in the medical profession is another bottleneck for patients seeking treatment.

Einars said a small percentage of his clients came on a regular basis, but others would only visit when in pain.

Some 54 percent of Lithuanians went to the dentist for routine, or ongoing, treatment. This figure was the highest in the bloc.[/private_subscription 1 month] [private_subscription 4 months]show their pearly whites — or yellows.

The statistics show that 27 percent have trouble eating food because of their poor oral hygiene, the third worst in the bloc. The study also revealed that just 76 percent of residents are within 30 minutes travel time to a dentist.

The state provides dental care but patients have to pay for numerous fees for care. There are many private dental clinics in Lithuania, too, with varying prices.

Is price a problem?

Bronius Einars, deputy director of the private Lela Dental Clinic in Klaipėda told Baltic Reports that Lithuanians generally visit the dentist only in an emergency.

“There is a big problem with money. The price is not high, but for Lithuanians it is a problem,” he said admitting that the culture of bribery in the medical profession is another bottleneck for patients seeking treatment.

Einars said a small percentage of his clients came on a regular basis, but others would only visit when in pain.

Some 54 percent of Lithuanians went to the dentist for routine, or ongoing, treatment. This figure was the highest in the bloc.[/private_subscription 4 months] [private_subscription 1 year]show their pearly whites — or yellows.

The statistics show that 27 percent have trouble eating food because of their poor oral hygiene, the third worst in the bloc. The study also revealed that just 76 percent of residents are within 30 minutes travel time to a dentist.

The state provides dental care but patients have to pay for numerous fees for care. There are many private dental clinics in Lithuania, too, with varying prices.

Is price a problem?

Bronius Einars, deputy director of the private Lela Dental Clinic in Klaipėda told Baltic Reports that Lithuanians generally visit the dentist only in an emergency.

“There is a big problem with money. The price is not high, but for Lithuanians it is a problem,” he said admitting that the culture of bribery in the medical profession is another bottleneck for patients seeking treatment.

Einars said a small percentage of his clients came on a regular basis, but others would only visit when in pain.

Some 54 percent of Lithuanians went to the dentist for routine, or ongoing, treatment. This figure was the highest in the bloc.[/private_subscription 1 year]

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