Nantou County Considers Relaxing Denture Subsidy Eligibility for Seniors, Magistrate Hsu Emphasizes Broader Benefits

Nantou County has been providing denture subsidies for seniors for over nine years. On the 24th, several county councilors suggested lowering the application threshold during a council session, urging the government to extend benefits to more elderly residents.

In response, Nantou County Magistrate Hsu Shu-Hua positively acknowledged the proposal, pledging to promptly review and revise the subsidy guidelines, with hopes to open applications under more lenient conditions starting next year.

Hsu pointed out that before her tenure, the annual budget for denture subsidies was only NT$30 million, often running out by year-end, leaving applicants unable to receive support. Since taking office, she increased the budget to NT$50 million. The current execution is going smoothly, with surplus funds remaining each year, eliminating situations where applications are rejected due to lack of funds.

However, there are still existing eligibility barriers. To qualify for full dentures, applicants must retain at least three natural teeth in both the upper and lower jaws. Hsu stated that councilors have recommended relaxing this requirement, and she has already instructed relevant departments to re-evaluate the criteria, aiming to make it easier for more seniors to apply and maintain better oral health.

She further explained that currently, low- and middle-income households and other welfare-eligible individuals can receive subsidies for single fixed artificial teeth, with a maximum of 10 teeth covered across both jaws. To allow more seniors to benefit from this social welfare program, the county government will expedite revisions to the subsidy plan, expecting to accept applications under new regulations starting next year.

Hsu also emphasized that if the relaxation of eligibility leads to a significant increase in applicants and exhausts the NT$50 million budget, the county will reconsider increasing the budget allocation, continuing efforts to improve oral healthcare services for seniors.

During the general assembly questioning at Nantou County Council, councilors Liao Tzu-Yu, Chen Shu-Hui, Chien Chun-Ting, Hsieh Ming-Mou, Li Chou-Chung, Lin Ting-Li, Huang Chun-Lin, and Lin Yi-Ju jointly raised inquiries. Among them, Lin Yi-Ju and Liao Tzu-Yu specifically addressed the denture subsidy issue, urging the county government to loosen the eligibility criteria. They argued that timely dental treatment for seniors can prevent broader oral health issues, emphasizing prevention over cure.