Our dentists are required to be registered to the medical card scheme in order to treat medical card patients. Unfortunately, our practices are no longer accepting new medical card patients. For existing medical card patients, we will of course complete any outstanding treatment plans but will not be able to start any new treatments going forward.

Since we reopened our doors after lockdown there is a need for additional PPE to meet the safety standards required. Global demand during the pandemic has also increased the cost for PPE significantly. The Government is not providing PPE for medical card treatments and unfortunately it is not possible for us to cover the additional cost whilst ensuring the practice remains open to treat patients in the long term. Our dentists are required to be registered to the medical card scheme in order to treat medical card patients. Unfortunately, our dentists have made the difficult decision to resign from the medical card scheme as it is no longer financially viable. Our practices will therefore no longer be accepting new medical card patients. Unfortunately, this is not possible. The contract we have with the HSE states we can’t charge any additional costs to medical card patients for the treatments covered under the scheme. The global demand has significantly increased the cost of PPE since the COVID-19 outbreak, we have therefore had to introduce a safety tariff for private patients. We cannot charge this tariff to medical card patients under the rules set out by HSE.

Since we reopened our doors after lockdown there is a need for additional PPE to meet the safety standards required. Global demand during the pandemic has also increased the cost for PPE significantly. The Government is not providing PPE for medical card treatments and unfortunately it is not possible for us to cover the additional cost whilst ensuring the practice remains open to treat patients in the long term. Normally adults (16+) who have a valid medical card can access a number of dental services and treatments, including:

• A Dental examination
• Issue of prescription
• Fillings (two per calendar year)
• Extractions as necessary
• Dentures (with HSE approval)
• Root canal treatment on front teeth (with HSE approval)

We will not be accepting any medical card patients for the foreseeable future. This relates to both new and existing medical card patients. We’re currently only treating existing patients who are in the middle of a course of treatment. Although our dentists have resigned from the scheme, there is an option for our dental team to continue caring for you as a private patient.

For more information on our services and fees, please visit Smiles Dental Pricelists.

Alternatively, you may wish to look for another dental care provider who accepts medical card patients. You can search www.hse.ie to find your nearest dental care provider registered under the medical card scheme. As you have already booked your exam, your dentist can carry out the exam and complete any immediate medical card treatment – such as fillings, extractions, and required prescription. Your practice can advise the date these need to be completed by.

However, we won’t be able to complete any treatments which require pre-approval from the HSE – such as dentures or root canal treatment. That’s because approval can take up to 6 to 8 weeks, and these treatments take several appointments to complete. As our dentists have a 3-month notice period with the HSE, we can’t guarantee treatment will be completed on time. Our dentists won’t be able to complete any treatments which need pre-approval from the HSE and are still pending. Approval can take up to 6 – 8 weeks, and these treatments take several appointments to complete.

Our dentists have a 3-month notice period with the HSE, so we can’t guarantee treatment will be completed on time. As a result, we will cancel any pending treatment requests with the local health board. You can reapply for approval with another dental provider registered under the scheme.

You can search www.hse.ie to find your nearest dental care provider registered under the medical card scheme.