Medical Card Dental Entitlements 2021

At Fermoy Dental Centre, we are proud to provide comprehensive dental care for patients seeking to make full use of their medical card dental entitlements 2021 and state PRSI benefits. Navigating public dental coverage can sometimes feel complex, but our team at 66 Lower Patrick Street in Fermoy is dedicated to helping you maximize your benefits under the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) and the Dental Treatment Benefit Scheme (DTBS). Whether you require a routine check-up, preventative cleaning, or urgent extractions, we ensure you receive clear guidance on what is fully covered. You can learn more about our team on our about us page.

Holders of full Medical Cards under the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) are entitled to essential preventative and restorative treatments, including one annual oral check-up, necessary extractions, two fillings per calendar year, and full or partial dentures every seven years. Doctor-only cardholders are not eligible under this scheme, as coverage is strictly reserved for full Medical Card holders.

Since the HSE restricted the DTSS in April 2010, the range of state-funded dental procedures has been strictly defined. Under these current guidelines, full Medical Card holders can receive the following services without private charges:

• Annual Examination: One comprehensive oral check-up per calendar year to monitor your overall oral health.
• Necessary Extractions: Clinical extractions required to relieve pain, eliminate infection, or remove unsaveable teeth.
• Fillings: Up to two standard fillings within a single calendar year to restore damaged teeth.
• Dentures: Provision of partial or full acrylic dentures once every 7 years (or more).

All other treatments not explicitly covered under the DTSS guidelines remain fully available at our practice; however, the patient is subject to the relevant private fee for those procedures. Before attending your appointment, please ask any of our staff members to clarify your entitlements so there are never any surprises. You can view our full range of services on our treatments page.

How Do PRSI Dental Treatment Benefit Scheme Entitlements Work?

Qualified PRSI contributors are entitled to one annual dental examination at no out-of-pocket cost, along with a subsidized annual scale and polish under the Dental Treatment Benefit Scheme (DTBS). This benefit applies to self-employed individuals, employees, and retirees who have accumulated the required social insurance contributions.

Under the DTBS rules, qualified patients receive an annual examination with no patient contribution. For preventative cleaning, the scheme subsidizes a scale and polish with a modest co-payment from the patient:

• Standard Scale and Polish: Requires a patient contribution of €15.
• Advanced Cleaning for Gum Disease: Requires a patient contribution of €30 in cases where clinical gum disease is diagnosed. Clinical gum disease is defined under standard guidelines by gum pocketing depths of 4mm or more.

Maintaining regular check-ups and cleanings under your PRSI entitlements helps prevent long-term periodontal issues and maintains overall oral health efficiently throughout the year.

Accessing your medical card dental entitlements 2021 at Fermoy Dental Centre requires providing your valid Medical Card details and Personal Public Service (PPS) number to our staff prior to your appointment so eligibility can be confirmed with the HSE. Our administrative team handles the verification process to ensure your care proceeds smoothly.

To prepare for your visit to our practice at 66 Lower Patrick Street, Fermoy, Co. Cork, please follow these practical steps:

• Verify that your Medical Card is a full card and currently within its valid date range.
• Have your PPS number ready when calling or visiting our clinic to arrange your check-up.
• Discuss your specific treatment needs with our team so we can explain which items fall under DTSS coverage and which require private fees.
• Contact our office via our opening and contact page to book a suitable time for your examination.

Combining State Coverage with Specialized Dental Care

While state schemes cover fundamental routine treatments, Fermoy Dental Centre also provides advanced clinical procedures to ensure all your structural, functional, and aesthetic dental needs are met under one roof. When state allowances do not cover a necessary or desired treatment, our team provides transparent private fee quotes prior to starting treatment.

Our comprehensive private services complement your state entitlements and include options such as dental implants, specialized functional jaw orthopedics, and TMJ dysfunction therapies. We are dedicated to providing personalized treatment plans that prioritize long-term health and patient comfort.