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Table of Contents
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What Is The PRSI Dental Scheme?
The PRSI Dental Benefit Scheme offers essential dental benefits to employees and self-employed individuals in Ireland who have made the requisite PRSI contributions.
This government initiative aims to enhance access to preventive dental care and subsidised treatments, ensuring dental health is accessible and affordable.
At 3Dental, we can check your eligibility and the processing of claims on your behalf.
To avail of this, please phone the front of house team:
- Dublin (Red Cow): (01) 485 1033
- Dublin 2 (Aungier Street): (01) 270 9323
- Limerick: (061) 414 673
- Galway: (091) 351 033
Please supply them with your PRSI number prior to the day of your appointment.
You can also submit your details through our chatbot or by completing the form on this page. We can then let you know if you have been approved for these benefits.
Dental Treatments Eligibility and Cost Under PRSI Entitlement
The PRSI dental benefits provide people with one free dental examination per year. In addition to the examination, the scheme subsidises a portion of the cost for a scale and polish or periodontal treatment, if needed.
- One scale and polish (teeth cleaning) treatment - This is only partially covered and so there will be a €15 fee for this
or
- One periodontal treatment (deep cleaning of the gums and teeth) - This is only partially covered and so an additional fee will be required
Participants receive a contribution of €42 towards these treatments once annually.
Should the treatment exceed this amount, the patient is responsible for the difference, up to a maximum of €15 for a scale and polish.
There is no upper limit on the additional cost of periodontal treatments.
We make this a seamless process for our patients. All you have to do is provide your PRSI number to our team when booking your appointment and we’ll handle the rest. Shauna Ward
Here is the same information as above, presented in tabular format:
| Treatment Name | PRSI Eligibility | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Dental examination | Yes | Once a year |
| Scale and polish (Teeth cleaning) | Yes | Once a year. A scale and polish (teeth cleaning) is only partially covered so there is a fee of €15. A patient can avail of this treatment or a periodontal cleaning instead. |
| Periodontal cleaning (Deep cleaning of gums and teeth) | Yes | Once a year, as necessary. This is partially covered and an additional fee will be charged. A patient can avail of this treatment or a scale and polish instead. |
| Dental fillings | No | Unfortunately, PRSI cannot cover dental fillings. |
| Tooth extraction | No | Unfortunately, tooth extractions cannot be claimed either. |
Treatment Benefit Scheme
The Treatment Benefit Scheme is a government scheme which will cover a certain number of treatments per year for people who qualify for the entitlement - this will depend on your PRSI status.
How do I qualify for PRSI entitlements?
You qualify depending on your PRSI contributions.
Please see the table below which outlines the required number of PRSI payments according to your age.
How many PRSI contributions do I need for free dental work?
| Age | Required PRSI Payments |
|---|---|
| Under 21 | 39 |
| 21-24 | At least 39 paid or credited contributions in the governing contribution year OR 26 paid contributions in each of the second and third last contribution years. |
| 25-65 | You must have paid 260 contributions AND at least 39 paid or credited contributions in the governing contribution year OR 26 paid contributions in each of the second and third last contribution years. |
| 66+ | There are special rules and exceptions for people aged 66 and over. Please see the text immediately below this table. |
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If you are 66 or over, you must also be in one of the following situations:
- You have 260 social insurance (PRSI) contributions paid at any time and 39 paid or credited contributions in the relevant tax year or the year immediately before it.
Note: The relevant tax year is the second last completed tax year before reaching 66 years of age. Example: If you were 66 in 2010, the relevant tax year is 2008. If you were 66 in 2012, the relevant tax year is 2010.
- You have 260 social insurance (PRSI) contributions paid at any time and 26 paid contributions in both the relevant tax year and the year immediately before it. The relevant tax year is the second last completed tax year before reaching 66 years of age
If you satisfy these conditions when you reach pension age, you will remain qualified for life.
More information can be found on gov.ie/treatment-benefit-scheme
I am an employer - How will it work for me?
In 2019, self-employed people (including farmers) and business owners were declared eligible for PRSI entitlements. Self-employed people and employers can now avail of the same benefits and services as mentioned above.
I am an employer - How will it work for my staff?
Many of your staff may be unaware of the coverage and should be encouraged to avail of this scheme.
Oral health is important as it is linked to many other medical conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.
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Conclusion
It is important to note that you can only avail of PRSI dental entitlements once per year.
Call us to book your appointment today and ask our reception team to check if you are eligible for PRSI contribution for your dental appointment.
You will need to have your PRSI number to hand and our front of house team can let you know if you are covered. We look forward to hearing from you.
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