Antonio Sanz, first vice-president of the Andalusian regional government and minister for the Presidency, Health and Emergencies, highlighted the growth of the Andalusian Health Service’s dental care under its Comprehensive Oral Health Plan, launched in 2023, during a visit to the Alameda-Perchel health centre in Málaga. He said one in three children in Andalusia aged 6 to 15 receives dental care through public health services at a health centre.
The number of children aged 6 to 15 treated rose from 18,214 in 2022 to 48,818 between January 1 and August 31, 2026, according to Sanz. The plan also added children aged 0 to 5 to the service portfolio. Their numbers increased from 2,883 treated in 2023 to 15,365 in 2025, and reached 27,053 in the first eight months of 2026.
Sanz said most of the services now focus on prevention. He also noted that online appointments for dental consultations began in July 2025 and had been used to treat 56,688 minors. The service portfolio also includes people with intellectual disabilities, older adults, patients with head and neck cancer, and pregnant women. Care for people with intellectual disabilities or limited mobility rose by 86%, from 2,180 in 2022 to 4,057 in 2025. In 2026 to date, primary care had treated 3,265 people with intellectual disabilities. Care for older adults increased by 18%; reviews in residential care homes were added to the service portfolio in 2024.
Sanz announced a training programme, described by the regional government as the first of its kind in Spain, which is due to begin on October 15. It will train dentists in early diagnosis of oral lesions, including some that may be malignant, oral surgery, endodontics and paediatric dentistry.
The plan has also renewed equipment, added dental clinics in primary and hospital care, and brought in new instruments. The number of primary care dentists increased by 11% over three years, from 243 to 270. Equipment was renewed in 248 clinics, 95 panoramic X-ray machines were added, and 234 clinics—90% of those in Andalusia—had their furniture and equipment upgraded.
In hospital care, all provinces now have at least one full-time dentist, a dedicated clinic and access to an operating theatre, Sanz said. He said the regional government aims to expand the service portfolio and reach more patients, including through outreach via paediatric and child and adolescent nursing consultations, schools and phone calls.