Denmark to offer free dental care for vulnerable groups by 2027

Free dental treatment for early retirees, chronically ill patients, and socially vulnerable individuals will be introduced in Denmark by 2027, with universal coverage planned within a decade, state broadcaster DR reports.

Ulrich Andersen, a former homeless man in Aalborg, has not visited a dentist in seven or eight years and now pulls out his own teeth when the pain becomes unbearable. “The last few years, I’ve yanked out three or four teeth just to avoid going to a dentist,” he told DR. Suffering from advanced periodontal disease, he struggles with basic tasks like eating. “Especially with crispy pork rinds—it’s damn frustrating not being able to eat them.”

Andersen is among the vulnerable individuals who rely on Blå Kors, a social support centre in Aalborg, where leader Tine Hedemann Tjell said dental issues are widespread. “They develop abscesses, gum disease—often, their teeth just fall out,” she explained. Many face barriers like addiction, mental illness, or homelessness, making dental care unaffordable and overwhelming.

Official statistics show one in 13 Danes skipped dental visits last year due to cost. While children and young adults under 22 currently receive free care, others pay up to 85% of treatment costs—a policy rooted in a 1972 decision excluding dental care from the public health system, as it was deemed more cosmetic than medical.

For Andersen, the reform could mean more than relief. “If it becomes free, I’ll get my remaining teeth fixed,” he said. “Then I can smile at people without them wondering, ‘What’s wrong with his face?’”