Q&A: Dental Benefits
With the end of year in sight, now is an ideal time to avail of your dental entitlements for 2021.
If you pay PRSI or dental insurance, you may be covered for some or all of the cost of certain dental treatments. Did you know that many specialist treatments also qualify for tax relief?
Lesley Doyle, our practice manager, answers some common queries about how to maximise your dental benefits.
Q. What are my PRSI dental entitlements?
Northumberland Dental Care is a registered provider of The Treatment Benefit Scheme, which entitles PRSI workers to claim a free oral examination once a calendar year, as well as a subsidised scale & polish (cleaning) for €15.
Q. Who can avail of PRSI dental entitlements?
The Treatment Benefit Scheme is available to insured workers, the self-employed and retired people who have the required number of social insurance (PRSI) contributions.
Q. How do I know if I qualify for PRSI benefits?
Contact our reception team with details of your PPSN and date of birth in order for them to check your eligibility on the Welfare Partners website.
Q. Will my PRSI dental benefits change as a result of Budget 2022?
From June 2022, the number of contributions required by people aged between 25 and 28 will be reduced from 260 to 39 weeks.
Q. Can I apply for tax relief on dental treatments?
Some specialist dental treatments qualify for tax relief, meaning you can offset the total cost of your treatment against your income tax liability.
Q. How do I apply for tax relief on dental treatments?
To claim tax relief on eligible treatments, you will need to request a Med 2 form when the treatment is completed or at the end of the year. These forms are available at our reception. We will complete the form and you then need to submit it to revenue.
Q. Which dental treatments are tax deductible?
Treatments covered by the Med 2 scheme include:
- Orthodontics
- Bridges
- Crowns
- Veneers
- Root canal treatment
- Periodontal treatment
- Implant surgery
- Implant crowns
- Onlays / inlays
- Surgical extraction of a wisdom tooth
Q. How does private dental insurance work?
Depending on the level of cover you choose, certain procedures may be fully covered, partially covered or not covered at all. At Northumberland Dental Care, we accept most major dental insurance providers, including VHI Dental, DeCare Dental and Laya Heathcare.
Q. Will my dental insurer cover the cost up-front?
In some cases, you will have to pay the dentist for your treatment up-front, then claim back the cost from your insurer. At Northumberland Dental Care, we also offer both VHI Dental and DeCare Dental Direct Pay. This means that you only pay for the percentage of the cost that is not covered by your policy, and our team looks after the claim process on your behalf.
To speak to our team about claiming your dental benefits, contact us here
