If you're in pain can you get emergency dental treatment on the Medical Card

runswithascript

I moved somewhere new a few years ago but kept commuting to my old dentist, my teeth are due a clean and a check so this time I instead called a local dentist.

They assured me they do accept the medical card and it covers cleaning but then rang me back the day I was due in to tell me they had just received some letter, possibly from the HSE or their union - I forget, and that cleaning is no longer covered on my card, although I can get a check up every 6 months.

I called my old dentist and they told me that, for the moment at least, I am still entitled to a clean at least once a year but can get a check up twice a year.

I'm just wondering if anyone can explain why one dentist will clean, but another will take an appointment knowing I have a medical card and then cancel it due to some letter?

Ideally I'd like to find another dentist in my own area, maybe I could get a list of dentists that will clean on the medical card from the local health centre?

davo10

LA3G, The HSE informed all dentists with medical card contracts in April that from then on the only treatments covered were emergency treatments to a max of 2 fillings per year. As far as I know you can still get a tooth extracted or a prescription but not a cleaning etc. Two dentists recently got a court injunction preventing the HSE from withdrawing treatments but this only applies to them not all dentists. The dentist can apply to the Health board to get a course of treatment approved but as far as I know the HSE are not approving any due to lack of funding. Put simply the HSE scrapped the medical card dental scheme with no prior notice hence why your new dentist rang you before your appointment. I'm not sure how your old dentist is still providing cleanings for free but avail of it ASAP, check before you go that that this is still the case.

mary55

Hey I dont know about this two fillings a year thing. I have a medical and went to dentist for last 3 weeks and have gotten 3 fillings and have not been charged anything.

davo10

mary, I'm sorry if my post was incorrect, I am relying on articles in the print media.

runswithascript

I'm concerned with cleaning.

cerysronayne

hi just wondering if anybody can answer this, I got a message from my dentist telling me it was time for a check up i rang straight away to make an appointment just for a check up, and she told me that i can not have a check up on my medical card unless i get my teeth cleaned which is going to cost me 60euro i really cant afford it just to get me teeth cleaned but really want to keep on top of getting my teeth cheked.. is this right? :mad:

vanla sighs

If you already have gotten 2 fillings done and you need more and are in pain what then happens if you go to your dentist? Does he have leeway to treat you or not? Thanks.

caseyann

You should ring in and they will tell you to come down and wait for an opening.

Yes you are covered for as much work as you need.Not on canal roots.If first five teeth any of them get removed you are covered for replacement also.
Fillings emergency extractions all covered.

vanla sighs

caseyann wrote: »

You should ring in and they will tell you to come down and wait for an opening.

Yes you are covered for as much work as you need.Not on canal roots.If first five teeth any of them get removed you are covered for replacement also.
Fillings emergency extractions all covered.

But isn't that based on the old system, the pre-April 2010 one? Now you can only get 2 fillings and a checkup each year. So, I'm wondering what happens if you are in pain and need a third or fourth filling? Thanks.

caseyann

vanla sighs wrote: »

But isn't that based on the old system, the pre-April 2010 one? Now you can only get 2 fillings and a checkup each year. So, I'm wondering what happens if you are in pain and need a third or fourth filling? Thanks.

Medical Card holders used to be entitled to free routine dental care, however earlier this year, the HSE announced that they would only be entitled to emergency treatment for relief of pain or infection.

http://www.irishhealth.com/article.html?id=17999

vanla sighs

Just contacted the HSE office that covers my area and their take on it is that I can go back to the dentist if I'm in pain but the dentist then needs to specifically send a request to the dental section of thelocal HSE to ask whether he can do fillings as I have already gotten 2 done this year. Then they would either say yes or say no. But that could take a week or two according to the HSE (maybe HSE code for a month) Not a great setup if you're in pain and popping 5 painkillers a day! (And even after all that the HSE can still say no, lol)

I'll end up at the doctor before the dentist the way things are going, lol. Crazy setup. I know theyhad to make savings but to target those on social welfare isn't equitable.My two cents.........

snubbleste

You are still entitled to visit your dentist and the dentist can prescribe antibiotics/painkillers. Otherwise it is as you say.

Write to your local TDs and ask them for a prompt explanation

davo10

Just a little fine tuning needed on the answers, the HSE cut med card dental scheme earlier this year. Patients are now entitled to one check up and a maximum of two emergency fillings per year without first obtaining prior approval from the HSE. You are still covered for extractions as far as I know, this leaves med card patients in the horrid position that if they cannot afford a filling with a dentist, they may have to have the tooth extracted, the loss of a front tooth would be devastating. Your dentist can seek approval for more extensive treatment but this may take months to recieve if at all.You can however present at a Health Board clinic and request emergency treatment so ring HSE and find nearest clinic.

The short sighted abolishen of this scheme means now more people are having to go to Doctors and A&E departments for pain relief which only provides a temporary reprieve from the underlying problems. Some minister for health we have.

tasha0708

hi, i went to the dentist a few months ago and had a wisdom tooth pulled on the medical card, it was an emergency, but now my other wisdom tooth is going the same way and it will probably ave to be removed, does anyone know if i can use the medical card for an emergency again or will it cost me, im delaying booking an appt because no way can i afford to ave a tooth pulled

mp22

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