Dental Insurance: Are You Sick of Expensive Dental Treatment?

If you’ve been putting off dental treatment, you’re not alone. Over the past year, over 50% of Irish adults have delayed seeking dental treatment as a result of the pandemic.

We all know dentistry can be expensive. But as lockdown restrictions are lifted and life returns to some semblance of normality, getting treatment may become even more difficult – and costly. Not only are dentists facing a huge backlog of appointments as a result of pandemic disruption, resulting in long waiting lists for treatment, but access to dental treatment through a Medical Card is set to become more limited.

Attending regular check-ups and seeking immediate treatment for any dental issues is essential to maintaining healthy teeth. However, according to DeCare Dental – Ireland’s only specialist dental insurer – 60% of people without dental insurance only attend the dentist when they experience a dental issue.

Dental insurance may be an additional expense, but having a policy in place can provide peace of mind and reduce costs if you need treatment. Here’s what you need to know about accessing dental care in Ireland.

What’s Available Through Public Funding?

There are a couple of options available for adults to get funding support through public healthcare in Ireland:

• Treatment Benefit: depending on your social insurance (PRSI) contributions, you may be entitled to claim one free oral examination a year, as well as €42 towards one clinically necessary scale and polish or periodontal treatment each calendar year. If the cost is more than €42, you must pay the balance which is capped at €15 for a scale and polish.
  
  
• Medical Card: if you’re eligible for a Medical Card, you can access one free dental examination a year, as well as any required extractions. You can also claim one first-stage endodontic treatment, two free fillings, denture repairs, haemorrhage control and prescriptions, where required, every year. Other treatments may also be available through a Medical Card, but will require prior approval from the local HSE Principal Dental Surgeon.

1.5 million patients currently use a Medical Card to access free or subsidised treatment. But with scheme funding dropping from €63 million (2017) to €40 million in 2020 and the treatment available through a Medical Card being reduced, more and more people across Ireland are set to face significant dentistry bills.

Why Consider Dental Insurance?

If you’re ineligible for a Medical Card, or require treatment above and beyond what’s available free-of-charge, dental insurance can provide the financial support and peace of mind you need to access treatment without breaking the bank.

The level of cost you face can vary drastically depending on your location and chosen dental surgery, with a 2018 study finding complicated treatments, such as crowns, can cost €825 in Kerry – compared to €350 in Monaghan.

Dental insurance doesn’t need to be expensive: DeCare’s prices start from just €15.33 a month, offering a very affordable way to care for your teeth. You may already have some level of dental cover through your health insurance policy, so it’s worth reviewing your documents to see what’s available to you – although typically only routine treatments are covered.

What’s Available Through Dental Insurance?

DeCare Dental provide numerous different plan types for both individuals and corporates. There are 4 different levels of cover, with benefits varying on the level you select. Here are just some of the adult benefits covered on the highest level plan (Level 4):

• Fillings
• Extractions
• Treatment of gum disease

 - After a 12-month waiting period, members pay a €100 policy excess and have 60% cover for major treatments like:

• Root Canal
• Dentures
• Crowns, Inlays, Onlays and veneers (this is capped at €500 per policy year)

All plans have annual maximums which also vary depending on the level of cover selected.

What Are Children Entitled To?

Under-16s are eligible for a range of treatments in HSE dental clinics through screening appointments at your child’s primary school – from routine dental treatment to orthodontics. You can find out exactly what your child is entitled to and how to access free treatment here.

However, as with adult treatment, children may face long waiting times for dental care. In October 2020, there were 1,530 children waiting for extractions under general anaesthetic.

Children’s dental insurance plans are available to help you manage the cost of treatment and avoid huge dental bills, with DeCare Dental offering the option of child-only policies. An adult guardian must take responsibility for the premium payments and ensuring all information provided is accurate.

The children’s plans offer the same as adults, so in the Level 4 example above, all of the benefits would be included and there is also some additional cover available for children:

• After a 3-month waiting period, children have 70% cover for:
  • Sealants
  • Space Maintainers
  • Stainless steel crowns
    
    

Care for Your Family’s Teeth with Dental Insurance

With many treatments through dental insurance being subject to waiting periods, taking out dental cover sooner rather than later can help ensure you can access the care you need, when you need it.

Taking care of your dental health is crucial. An astonishing 1 in 6 Irish adults over the age of 54 have no natural teeth at all. Attending regular check-ups and seeking treatment immediately when you experience a dental issue can have a huge impact on maintaining your dental health and avoiding significant issues further down the line.

Having a dental insurance policy in place can provide the peace of mind you need, while reducing the cost of treatments not covered by public funding.

At HCC.ie, our insurance experts can help you find the right policy for you and your family. Whether you want to understand more about the benefits of dental insurance or would like expert support to find your ideal plan, our team are here to help.

Get in touch using the form below for an expert consultation with one of our advisors.