ALL CLASSES OF PRSI employees are now entitled to a free scale and polish from their dentist.
In Budget 2017, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced that he was reinstating a raft of dental and optical benefits once removed from PRSI workers during the recession.
This included a free dentist check-up examination once a year.
From today, workers are now entitled to a full-scale and polish, and if necessary, protracted periodontal treatment, in addition to the existing free dental exam.
Leo Varadkar confirmed this week that the changes to the dental benefit scheme will come into effect from 28 October.
“If the normal fee charged by the individual dental clinic for a scale or polish is €42 or less, the treatment will be free to the customer. However, if the normal fee is over €42, the customer will pay the balance up to a maximum co-payment of €15,” said the Taoiseach. Therefore, it’s worth pricing around to find out what dentist offers the best deal.
The Department of Social Protection will make a payment of €42 in regard to protracted periodontal treatment, with the customer responsible for the balance of any fee over this amount.
Periodontal treatment involves maintaining the gums in a healthy condition to prevent problems associated with gum disease such as bleeding gums, discomfort, loosening teeth and bad breath.
“The dental exam and treatments outlined will be available once per calendar year and, for the first time, will be extended to farmers and the self-employed who pay PRSI at class S,” added the Taoiseach.
This is the restoration of the free scale and polish with the maximum co-payment of €15. It is very much part of the government’s policy of expanding social insurance and making work pay.
For more information on the Treatment Benefit Fund log on to the website here about what treatments you are entitled to.
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