Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Is there any cosmetic dentistry available on Medical Card?

  • 04-07-2013 9:53pm
    #1
    rawn
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,093 ✭✭✭


    I'm asking for a friend, she is depressed about her teeth she takes great care of them but they're prominently crooked, she hides behind her hands all the time and always looks at the ground when she speaks. She never spoke about her issues with them before today because she felt ashamed, none of us ever knew they upset her so much but now that we do we really see how much it affects her socially. She's unemployed for a few months now and she knows she can never afford to pay for cosmetic dentistry herself, at least not for a good long time! I just thought I'd ask, given her extreme depression would she be able to get any work done on a medical card? Braces or cosmetic work or whatever... Would be great to be able to go to her with some positive news or advice! She's 23.


Comments

  • #2
    Kristopherus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,907 ✭✭✭✭Kristopherus


    Not a hope of getting cosmetic work done on the Med Card. That now only covers emergency relief of pain and 1(I think) oral examination per year.


  • #3
    StillWaters
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,799 ✭✭✭StillWaters


    She should visit her local HSE dentist, who will refer her to the HSE Orthodonist. The wait list is long, but once she gets her appointment it is certainly possible she will qualify for treatment.


  • #4
    Balagan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,168 ✭✭✭Balagan


    StillWaters wrote: »
    She should visit her local HSE dentist, who will refer her to the HSE Orthodonist. The wait list is long, but once she gets her appointment it is certainly possible she will qualify for treatment.


    Think the HSE clinic dentists/HSE Orthodontists work only with those who came into the system through school, are under 16 or on the waiting list since before they turned 16.

    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.
    http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/health/dental_aural_and_optical_services/dental_services.html

    The Medical Card entitles your friend to a free exam, two free fillings, pain relief and extractions in each 12 month period. She could go for the exam and see what the dentist would recommend. I think, in special circumstances, and although they are usually medical they could also possibly be psychological, the dentist can make an application to the HSE to see if funding might be forthcoming for dental work outside the aforementioned. Don't build up her hopes at all but it might be worth a try.


  • #5
    livemusic4life
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 394 ✭✭livemusic4life


    Not a chance as i found out when enquiring for a family member. They will however cover having them all extracted and dentures done. Best bet is the local dental hospital, they do payment plans or even the local credit union might offer a long term loan at rates she can afford. If that fails, a charity might be able to help. Or she could move to the uk where cosmetic work is available on the nhs.

    I hope she gets the help she wants.


Advertisement