“The Ideal Dental Health Service for Children:” The Political Development of the Dental Health Service for Children in Denmark, 1960s–1980s

Abstract

In 1971, the Danish Parliament passed an act mandating that municipalities establish a Public Dental Health Service for Children, which aimed to provide free preventive and curative dental health services. The Act was part of a longstanding historical progression where school dentists, school doctors, and the provision of school meals, represented a broader movement aimed at reframing perceived social and political issues as educational challenges. This paper examines the political evolution of modern school dental health services within the timeframe of 1966 to 1986. The primary focus of this paper lies in the examination of the political negotiations surrounding the key legislative acts pertaining to school dental health services. Through this scrutiny, this paper aims to illuminate the diverse policy ideas that have exerted significant influence. Therefore, this article adopts the theoretical framework proposed by political scientist Daniel Béland, which conceptualises ideas as historically constructed beliefs and perceptions. To investigate how ideas are incorporated into the political agenda, this paper employs the theoretical model articulated by political scientist John Kingdon with three distinct ‘streams’, which are essential for facilitating the formulation of political decisions.