The Order of Dentists (Ordem dos Médicos Dentistas) says more than two million dental vouchers intended for children and young people have never been used, often because families were unaware of the programme or lacked guidance on how to claim them. The scheme has offered free consultations since 2008 and the OMD criticised schools and some clinicians for poor promotion and uptake. Families with young children should check eligibility and ask local health units about accessing the dental voucher programme.
Over two million child dental vouchers went unused
Thursday, 5 March 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
An Ordem dos Médicos Dentistas (Order of Dentists) is Portugal's professional body that registers and regulates dentists, sets ethical standards and handles complaints. The OMD recently warned that more than two million dental vouchers for children and young people went unused, often because families did not know about the programme or how to redeem the vouchers.
The dental voucher programme offers free dental consultations for children and young people and has been running since 2008; authorities say over two million vouchers were never used, often because families were unaware of the scheme or how to redeem them. The programme covers basic check-ups and treatments through participating dentists, so families should contact their local dentist, municipal health services or the Ordem dos Médicos Dentistas for help using any available vouchers.
