Dental services
Information
The Health Service Executive (HSE) provides some free dental treatment to certain citizens through the public health service. Services are provided by dentists employed by Local Health Offices in your area and by private dentists who have contracts with the HSE to provide certain services.
If you do not qualify for HSE services, then you may be treated by a private dental practitioner. From 1 June 2011 all dentists must display private fees in a place where patients can view them before consultation. A single fee must apply for some procedures while the fees for others may be shown as a range, with a minimum and maximum clearly stated. Where a range of fees applies, it is not permitted to set a minimum price only.
The Dental Council has produced a Code of Practice relating to: Display of Private Fees in Dental Practices (pdf).
Treatment Benefit Scheme
You may get free dental examinations under the Treatment Benefit scheme operated by the Department of Social Protection.
Taxation and Dental Expenses
If you do not have a medical card and have to pay for dental services from a private practitioner, you may claim tax relief for certain specialised dental treatments. (Routine treatments such as extractions, scaling and filling of teeth and provision and repairing of artificial teeth and dentures are excluded from tax relief). Further information on how to claim tax relief for specific dental costs incurred by you whether for yourself, your spouse, your dependent child or a dependent relative are available in our document on Taxation and Medical Expenses.
Rules
The HSE is obliged to provide dental services free of charge to:
- Medical card holders and their dependants, but only under certain circumstances
- People who have contracted Hepatitis C directly or indirectly from the use of Human Immunoglobulin-Anti-D or from the receipt within Ireland of any blood product or a blood transfusion and who have a Health Amendment Act Card,
- Preschool children and school children attending state primary schools referred from child health service and school health service examinations.
Priority is usually given to children referred from child and school health services.
Dental services for children under 16 years of age who attend state primary schools and are referred from child and school health services are provided in Health Service Executive (HSE) clinics and in primary schools.
Services for others who are entitled to dental treatment are provided in HSE clinics or by private practitioners who have agreements with the HSE. The HSE decides whether you will be treated by one of its dentists or by a private practitioner. If you are to be treated by a private practitioner, you can choose from the list of dentists who have agreements with the HSE to provide services.
Medical card holders
New measures were introduced from 28 April 2010. This is the general level of service available under the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) but there are variations between administrative regions of the HSE:
Under the new measures the range of treatments available are being prioritised in accordance with their clinical necessity and priority. These measures are intended to protect access to emergency dental care for medical card holders and to safeguard services for children and special needs groups.
Services for high-risk patients (including those with special needs), and those requiring exceptional care, continue to be available.
The remaining care provision is subject to prior approval, which will be required from a clinician in the HSE, who will prioritise:
- High risk and exceptional patients
- Those requiring emergency care
- Patients who are considered to have a greater clinical urgency and/or necessity in receiving care.
Where prior approval is required for the treatment, the HSE Principal Dental Surgeons will apply their professional judgment to determine, in the circumstances, whether or not there is a clinical emergency, and whether or not the treatment should therefore be approved.
In the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) an emergency is determined by the treating clinician, (the contracted General Dental Practitioner), in agreement with the local HSE Principal Dental Surgeon, or a delegate who is also a clinician.
Where a patient requires dental treatment in advance of urgent medical treatment, this must be communicated to the HSE Principal Dental Surgeon.
Specifically, in relation to periodontal/gum disease, the DTSS continues to provide periodontal treatment in cases where care is especially warranted. This includes clients who are pregnant, anyone with diabetes, immuno-compromising conditions, and those requiring relevant surgical procedures such as cardiac surgery and joint replacements. Approval for periodontal treatment may be given by the local Principal Dental Surgeon for these and other high risk or special needs groups.
Orthodontic treatment
The orthodontic service is currently being restructured to try to deal with the long waiting lists. This involves the recruitment and training of more orthodontists and the introduction of auxiliary dental workers in the orthodontic area. Some HSE have engaged private practitioners to provide services to eligible people, mainly children.
Orthodontic guidelines were issued in 1985 by the Department of Health and are still in operation. Children are classified by severity of need. Category A means you require immediate treatment. You are in this category, for example, if you have a congenital abnormality such as cleft lip and palate. Category B patients who have less severe problems but need treatment are put on the waiting list. Discussions are currently under way to introduce a new method of categorising need.
How to apply
Dental services for pre-school children and children under 16 years of age attending state schools are referred from child and school health services and are provided free of charge in Health Service Executive (HSE) clinics and in primary schools. Apply to your local health centre or clinic for further information.
The Dental Health Foundation of Ireland have produced a number of useful publications on dental health.
The Irish Dental Association is the main representative body for general dental practitioners, dental specialists and Health Service Executive (HSE) dental surgeons.
Language
Related Documents
- Child health services
The general entitlement of children to health services in Ireland and the specific services available. - Aural services
Aural services that are provided by your Health Service Executive (HSE) Area include hearing tests and hearing aids. Find out who qualifies for free services and how you can obtain a hearing aid at a reduced rate. - Optometric and ophthalmic services
Optometric and opthalmic health services provided through the public health service are free for certain people. Entitlements, charges and rules.
Contact Us
If you have a question relating to this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0761 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm) or you can visit your local Citizens Information Centre.