Dental treatment costs not covered
The following dental treatments and services are not considered essential for the purposes of Special Needs Grants for essential dental treatment and are specifically excluded, except for molar root canal treatment and clean, scale and polish in specific circumstances.
Treatment | Explanation |
Regular dental check-ups | Regular dental check-ups are periodic dental care for the purposes of maintaining oral health and preventing oral health issues and may include teeth cleaning and x-rays. The cost of regular dental check-ups cannot be covered by the Special Needs Grant even when an immediate need for essential dental treatment is identified during the check-up. |
Cosmetic treatments | Dental treatment that improves the appearance of teeth, gums, and/or bite. This includes crowns, veneers, implants, and teeth whitening. |
Clean, scale and polish | Periodic teeth cleaning that removes plaque and tartar build up. The cost of teeth cleaning cannot be included in a Special Needs Grant for essential dental treatment unless the treatment is required because of a gum infection. |
Cast Restorations | Tooth restoration constructed outside of the mouth, then cemented back into the cavity of the tooth. This includes crowns, inlays, onlays, and overlays. |
Orthodontic treatment | Correction of crooked teeth, wide gaps in teeth, and/or an improper bite through the placement of braces or a retainer |
Molar root canal treatment | Treatment to eliminate bacteria from an infected root canal, prevent reinfection, and attempt to save the tooth. The cost of molar root canal treatment cannot be covered by a Special Needs Grant for essential dental treatment unless exceptional circumstances exist. |
Dentures | An artificial replacement for one or several teeth (partial dentures), or all teeth (full dentures). |
Exceptions
The following treatments can be included in specific circumstances:
- molar root canal treatment in exceptional circumstances
- clean, scale and polish that is required to treat a gum infection
Molar root canal treatment in exceptional circumstances
It may be appropriate to cover the cost of this treatment if the client has exceptional circumstances that mean a molar root canal is the only treatment option for them. This is usually when extraction of a tooth is not recommended for medical reasons. For example:
- the client has had previous radiation therapy in the area or
- they must take medication that may lead to medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw if teeth are extracted
Legislation
- Dental treatment clause 11.9.4 Special Needs Grants Programme
