Dental services

You can get some free dental treatment through the public health service, the Health Service Executive (HSE).

Dental services are provided by dentists employed by  Local Health Offices in your area. You can also get certain services from private dentists who have contracts with the HSE.

If you do not qualify for HSE services, then you can use a private dental service.

If you have a medical card and are 16 years or over, you can get certain dental treatments through the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS).

Dental examinations and extractions

If you have a medical card, you can get a free dental examination each calendar year, as well as any extractions that are needed.

Root canal 

If you have a medical card, you also can get one first-stage endodontic (root canal) treatment each year for teeth at the front of the mouth. You should check with your dentist.

Fillings

You can get 2 fillings for free in each calendar year if you have a medical card. If your tooth has been filled in the last 5 years, the dentist must get approval from the local HSE Principal Dental Surgeon detailing why it is necessary to repeat the filling.

Dental cleaning

If you have a medical card, you can get a dental clean (scale and polish) once in each calendar year. Any extra dental cleaning treatments must be approved by the local HSE Principal Dental Surgeon.

If you have special needs or you are in a high risk category (for example diabetes or getting cancer treatment) you may get the treatment every 6 months. This must be approved by the local HSE Principal Dental Surgeon.

Dentures, denture repairs

If you have a medical card, denture repairs, the control of any dental bleeding and the issuing of your prescriptions are covered if needed.

All other dental treatments, including getting dentures, must first be approved by the local HSE Principal Dental Surgeon.

A Clinical Dental Technician can provide full dentures and partial dentures directly to adult patients who have recently been assessed by a dentist. Read more about them below.

Orthodontic treatment or braces for adults 

Adults (everyone aged 18 or over) do not get HSE orthodontic treatment (such as braces) covered by the medical card.

Dental services for children are provided by dentists in local HSE dental clinics.

Your child can get dental service through screening appointments in your child's primary school.

Routine dental treatment

The HSE offers all children in primary school classes, and children with special needs an appointment for a free dental exam. If needed, a follow up appointment will be made with your local HSE Dental Clinic.

Outside of these school appointments, your child will only be seen by the HSE Dental Clinic for emergency treatment.

Emergency Dental Care for Children

If your child is under 16 years of age, they are entitled to attend for emergency treatment such as toothache or trauma (damage to their teeth or lips).

Call your local HSE Dental Clinic for dental emergency treatment.

Orthodontic treatment and braces for children

If your child has severe problems with their bite, they can get free orthodontic treatment from the HSE. Your child must be referred before they are 16 years old.

Sixth class check-up

Your child will usually get an appointment for a free dental check-up in sixth class. The dentist can refer them to the local HSE orthodontic unit for an assessment if they have an orthodontic problem and meet the HSE criteria.

What qualifies for orthodontic treatments on the medical card

The types of orthodontic problems that qualify under the HSE guidelines include front teeth that do not emerge, multiple missing teeth, very prominent front teeth or severe problems with the bite or jaw development.

If you are not happy with the HSE decision not to give your child braces, you should speak to your dentist first.

If you have an intellectual, physical or sensory disability, you may need more support for dental treatment.

You may be treated at a HSE dental clinic or if you need more support, the HSE Dental Service can refer you for treatment in a hospital. If you have extra needs, you can contact your local HSE dental clinic about routine or emergency dental treatment to ask about special care patients.

Treatment Benefit Scheme

If you have paid enough social insurance contributions through your work, you can get free dental examinations and a scale and polish at a reduced cost, once a year under the Treatment Benefit Scheme.

You can also get treatment for your gums (periodontal treatment) partially paid for if it is once a year, if your dentist believes you need it. You will need to pay the balance remaining for the treatment.

Private treatment

If you do not qualify for HSE dental services, you can use a private dental service.

Dentists must have their private fees visible in a place where the patient can see them before the consultation. A single fee must apply for certain procedures (such as a dental examination or hygiene treatment) while the fees for others can be shown as a range, clearly giving a minimum and maximum fee. If a range of fees applies, the dentist cannot set a minimum price only for a treatment.

The Dental Council has a Code of Practice relating to the Display of Private Fees in Dental Practices (pdf).

Tax relief on dental expenses

If you pay for dental services from a private practitioner, there are some dental treatments you can claim tax relief for.

You can claim tax relief for certain non-routine specialised dental treatments such as veneers or root canal treatment.  You can claim for yourself, your spouse, your dependent child or a dependent relative.

You cannot claim tax relief for routine treatments such as extractions, scaling, filling of teeth, artificial teeth (including repair) and dentures.

Find the full list of dental treatments you can claim tax relief on and find out how to do so.

Clinical Dental Technicians

When you go to a dental practice, a Clinical Dental Technician may provide some treatment. Clinical Dental Technicians are dental healthcare professionals registered with the Dental Council. They can provide full dentures and partial dentures directly to adult patients who have recently been assessed by a dentist. They cannot carry out work on natural teeth or on living tissue.

Clinical Dental Technicians, who have a contract with the HSE can treat medical card holders by provide approved dentures and relines as well as denture repairs and additions.

How to make a complaint against a dentist

If you are not happy about your dental treatment, you must first make a complaint directly to the staff in the dental surgery involved. They should give you full details of the complaints procedure and try to sort out your complaint.

If you are not satisfied with the response you get , you can contact the Dental Complaints Resolution Service who will work with you and the dentist to resolve the complaint

Your local health centre may provide a list of dentists who treat medical card holders. Dentists who offer services to medical card holders are listed as taking part in the Dental Treatment Services Scheme.

The Irish Dental Association has a list of general dental practitioners, dental specialists and HSE dental surgeons.

The Dental Council has a register of dentists and a register of Clinical Dental Technicians.

If you are not happy about your HSE dental treatment, you should speak to your dentist first.