HSE Child Dental Treatment

Heighway61

My son was reffered by the School Dental Inspection Scheme for extensive dental work including braces. He has been on the waiting list for this work for many years. A letter came in from the HSE offering to now have the treatment in a private clinic. However, the letter states that this is only open to medical card holders. My son's medical cared was revoked when he turned 16 last year. So, it that it? Tough totty. Through no faullt of his own he cannot now have the treatment.

zell12

1. See if he is entitled to a medical card, what has changed since he turned 16?
2. Call up the HSE office to clarify the letter

Heighway61

He has autism and part of his benefits is a medical card until age 16.

I was wondering generally if they can keep a child on the list long enough for the card to expire then just strike them off.

TooTired123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120186713#Comment_120186713

Your child is most likely to have his medical card renewed on medical grounds. Please reapply right away. Are you in receipt of carers allowance/benefit in respect of him? Is he in receipt of Disability Allowance?

If you haven’t already you need to apply for DA on his behalf . Please disregard this if you’ve already done these things.

If you were in receipt of DCA in respect of him this has ended too. If you’re wondering, the means test for DA in his case only applies to him not his parent/parents.

Good luck .

Heighway61

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120187610#Comment_120187610

I am getting carer's allowance for him. This continued after 16 when DCA, respite, household benefits stopped. He is not getting disability allowance. I was told anecdotally that his chances of receiving it were slim to none.

I downloaded the DA application form. Does he complete the form or me as his parent? He's seventeen.

Does carer's stop at 18?

Thanks.

Heighway61

Regarding the dental treatment, he was referred for the treatment in primary school. He's finishing secondary school this year.

TooTired123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120190952#Comment_120190952

You need to help him to apply for DA at least. If he can’t fill in the form then you fill it and he can sign it or if he can’t sign it you can witness it. Either way get it filled up.

Get an up to date report from his GP and/or specialist to go with it but most importantly you need to write a letter, if he can’t, explaining how his autism prevents him from being available for full time work. A day in his life kind of a thing and how difficult it would be for him to be in a work environment.

Who told you he wouldn’t get it and why?

No Carers doesn’t stop at 18 but if he hasn’t at least applied for DA soon eventually Carers will wonder why.

Heighway61

Thanks a million for the info, sorry for all the questions. Would the fact that he is still at school affect the application and would the carer's stop if he was awarded DA?

TooTired123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120191112#Comment_120191112

No problem, he is entitled to apply for DA at 16 wether in school or not and no your carers would not stop if he got the DA. Indeed, your carers would be inclined to stop if he doesn’t at least apply for DA.

Think about it this way. What is going to be his income going forward. He needs an income.

Is he fit for full time work? Could he hold down a job? What can he offer an employer?

If you and he think he could get training/education like any other school leaver and eventually find work then you need to explore that possibility. There are many organisations out there that help school leavers with special needs to achieve their academic goals and find employment.

If you think he’s going to struggle to find work and hold down a job the DA is a very good payment. You can have your DA and work part time and earn up to €165 per week and still keep all of your DA (€220 currently) and your free travel. You can actually earn more than that and get a reduced DA payment.

One way or the other you have to consider that in 2 short years time he will be left secondary education. After that he will be either in 3rd level Ed/training/further education or looking for a job. You and he need to start thinking about that.

Gatling

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120186713#Comment_120186713

Unfortunately here it's not uncommon for people to be left languishing on lists for years only to be told your child is now an adult and they will be now put on another waiting list,for something the medical card might not be covered

Purple Mountain

Sorry to jump in.

My son was referred for braces aged approx 12.

With Covid-19, it looks likely he will be over 16 by the time he actually gets called.

I understand free dental care ends at 16.

Will they take into consideration he was referred aged 12 (and Covid-19 delayed the system 2 years) or will it be pay up, you're 16 now?!