Paying for local anesthetic??

shazadelica

I recently went to the dentist to get a filling and was asked if I wanted a local anesthetic or not. I was never offered the option before was always just giving the injection. This was my first visit with a medical card and the dentist told me it wasn't covered by the medical card and would cost me €10. I opted to have the injection - thankfully I did because the drill slipped and cut my cheek which needed 2 stitches. The dentist didn't ask me for the €10 in the end. I have been told by others that I shouldn't have to pay for the injection but I can't find a full list of what you can get from the dentist. Can anyone help?

Dianthus

It's an interesting interpretation of having the cost a filling "covered" under the medical card, charging separately for local anaesthetic.
Strictly speaking, I can see how you someone argue it:rolleyes: However, it only takes 5 minutes to give local anaesthetic, and it's generally easier for both patient and operator for the patient to be numb, so it's not a widespread practice to go without *unless* the decay or defect is shallow.
(in saying that, some German and Eastern European patients have never had local anaesthetic for treatment,& some patients who are into acupuncture prefer to use pressure points on themselves as opposed to having local anaesthetic)

Probably the €10 surcharge is solely a business decision.
I'd imagine the HSE - the people who pay the fee for the filling- would be the best place to check what the story is as regards the legitamacy of a surcharge. Equally, it might be less hassle to simply vote with your feet& change practice.