JERUSALEM (JTA) — A Knesset committee approved legislation that gives Israeli children up to age 8 free dental care.
The free care begins on July 1. The Cabinet approved $47 million for the plan last month.
But Israel’s Supreme Court revoked the government’s decision, saying that the health basket funds were not earmarked for dental care.
The measure approved Monday is emergency legislation for six months, giving the Knesset time to pass new legislation that will be acceptable to the court.
Free services will include twice-yearly checkups, a cleaning and twice-yearly X-rays. Fillings and extractions will cost a nominal fee.
Deputy Health Minister Yaakov Litzman, who runs the ministry, wants to expand coverage to children up to age 18.
Approximately 2,000 heath fund dental clinics and 5,000 independent dental clinics are located throughout the country.
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