Dental Treatment Entitlements for Medical Card Holders
Become A PatientChristie Dental Kilkenny are pleased to announce that we are currently accepting medical card holders as new patients.
What Does Your Medical Card Cover?
Medical card holders in Ireland are entitled to a range of dental treatments through the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS). We are here to guide you through the process and ensure you receive the care you’re entitled to.
Free Annual Check-up
Medical card holders are entitled to one free dental check-up per year. This thorough examination allows your dentist to evaluate your current oral health, pinpoint any issues, and recommend any required treatments to maintain healthy teeth and gums.
Teeth Cleaning – Scale and Polish
Medical card holders are entitled a single scale and polish (teeth cleaning) per calendar year free of charge as part of their dental benefits. This type of cleaning helps to remove plaque and tartar build-up, promoting healthier gums. At Christie Dental Kilkenny, we encourage all eligible patients with medical cards to avail of this service as part of their overall oral hygiene and dental health regime.
Fillings
As a medical card holder you are entitled to up to two fillings per year, ensuring that any tooth decay or damage to your teeth can be identified. If a tooth has been filled within the last five years, additional approval from the HSE will be needed to have another filling for the same tooth to ensure the treatment is justified from a clinical point of view.
Tooth Extractions
Medical card holders are entitled to multiple tooth extractions, if and when required. Whether due to decay, damage, or crowding, extractions are fully covered by the medical card scheme. However, it is important to understand that referral to an oral surgeon is not included. If such a referral is needed, the HSE, in certain circumstances (based on the individual case), may grant approval to have the cost covered by the medical card.
Root Canal Treatment
Front teeth (incisors and canines) sometimes need more specialised treatment. As a medical card holder, you are eligible for one front-tooth root canal treatment per year, helping to save your tooth and avoid extraction.
Emergency Dental Treatments
In dental emergency cases, where the patient is experiencing pain as a result of infection or injury, medical card holders can receive treatments to alleviate discomfort and prevent further damage. While we do try to prioritise patients who are experiencing pain, it is not always possible to see the patient immediately if our appointment schedule is completely full. In this type of situation, we highly recommend our premium Emergency Prescription service which enables you to get relief from pain whilst a suitable appointment slot with one of our dentists can be assigned to you for treatment.
**Please note that the Emergency Prescription service is a separate premium service that currently costs €50 which is NOT covered by your medical card.
Prescription Coverage
As part of your dental treatment appointment visit, dental-related prescriptions deemed necessary will be issued and covered by your medical card. This ensures, following your appointment, you will have access to the medications you need for pain management and/or infection control.
Treatments Requiring HSE Approval
Some treatments require prior approval from the HSE Principal Dental Surgeon. These include:
- Provision of dentures (full or partial)
- More complex procedures beyond basic care. Christie Dental Kilkenny will handle the application process for these treatments..
Why Choose Christie Dental Kilkenny?
At Christie Dental Kilkenny, we are very focused on patient-centric care. Our goal is to make you feel comfortable and supported throughout the dental treatment process. Accessible care for medical card holders is important and we are committed to offering high-quality services for medical card holder patients within the framework of the Dental Treatment Services Scheme.
If you are a medical card holder and wish to receive treatment under the scheme, please complete the Become A Patient form below.