Medical Card Dental Coverage

This does not apply here. I suspect this poster lives in another jurisdiction, possibly the US.

Put bluntly, it’s good fortune to have access to a med card dentist at all, unless the Government increase funding dramatically, access to it will most likely be withdrawn in the short term.

The treatments covered are restricted, if you want all your treatment to be free, the only item of service that applies to is extractions. You can only have two fillings per year, not on the same tooth within 5 yrs, no white fillings on teeth further back than canines (that might have changed), so obviously if you have cavities, the dentist would be negligent not to inform you, even if they will not be covered by the med card.

So look, having a med card and a dentist who accepts it, is a very good thing, hundreds of thousands of people would appreciate having the same access. If you think the dentist is being tricky, or you don’t want to pay anything, just inform them that you only want treatment which you would be entitled to free, sign the disclaimer, wait a year to have those cavities treated, or get them out for free.

The effects of grinding/clenching such as attrition to tooth surfaces, filling fractures, jaw pain can take months or even years to manifest themselves, other people suffer acute bouts of pain in their teeth/jaws when they grind excessively due to stress. Of course the second group understood the need/benefits of the night guard more clearly because they are in pain, the first group may need a little longer, so hold onto that night guard, someday it may be useful and you may realise it was money well spent.

I should say as well, at €100 for a night guard, when you deduct the laboratory fee and materials used to take the impression, he probably made €10 on that. Most Dentists charge a lot more for night guards.

The second part, the cleaning is easier to explain. If you have subgingival plaque you are at risk of gingivitis/periodontitis. Again this is a slow developing process. If you don’t want that plaque cleaned off your teeth, no problem at all, you are a big boy/girl so you can may your own decisions, and own the consequences. The Dentist just makes note of the fact that you were advised of the issue, and that you declined treatment. They won’t give it a second thought, unless you come back asking why you still have plaque deposits under your gums, pockets between your teeth, and whatever else may develop, at which time they will just remind you that you didn’t want the treatment. It happens.

We can’t help those that don’t want advice or help. If you are unhappy, try to find another Dentist.

You are a pest.