Going to the dentist is not cheap at all. Any Spanish family knows the expense that going through this specialist can entail. That is why many ask: What services does the Social Security dentist cover? The coverage of the National Health System (SNS) is not the same in all cases (nor in the different autonomous communities). And there are groups, such as minors, who are more protected and, therefore, can access certain services that are not included for adults.
Regarding this, it should be said that the Ministry of Health implemented the Oral Health Plan in 2022, which, since then, has involved a total investment of 180 million euros. Its objective, on the one hand, was to “homogenize oral health care services” throughout Spain and, on the other, to increase common services that, until now, were not provided by public health, prioritizing infant groups. youth, pregnant women, people with disabilities and people with cancer, specifically those people diagnosed with oncological processes of the cervicofacial territory.
At a general level, these are the services covered by the Social Security dentist for all citizensattending to the Ministry of Health itself:
- Individualized health information and recommendations on the basic hygienic and dietary measures necessary to achieve and maintain oral health.
- Dental advice.
- Treatment of acute dental processes.
- Pharmacological treatment of oral pathology that requires it.
- Extractions, surgical extractions and minor surgery of the oral cavity.
- Early detection of premalignant lesions and, where appropriate, biopsy of mucosal lesions.
Now, the aforementioned groups can access other free additional services. And this includes, for example, cleanings or fillings.
Other free services, such as cleaning, for special groups
Additionally, the children and adolescents and people over 14 years of age with intellectual disabilities or with a disability that limits the mobility of the upper limbsthey will be able to access the following services for free:
- Periodic reviews.
- Preventive treatments such as tartrectomies. Cleaning could also be included here.
- Application of topical fluoride.
- Application of remineralizing, antiseptic and desensitizing substances, sealing pits and fissures.
- Restorative actions such as fillings in injuries that do not associate irreversible pulp damage. This is where fillings for cavities come in.
- Pulp treatments and the relocation, stabilization and splinting of permanent incisors and canines in cases of trauma.
Furthermore, in the case of people “who present severe behavioral alterations and who are not able to maintain the necessary self-control that allows adequate attention to their oral health”, the provision of services will be guaranteed through the corresponding sedative treatment or general anesthesia.
Lastly, the pregnant women and people diagnosed with oncological processes of the cervicofacial territory They will also have free access to the clinical examination, as well as, when indicated, tartrectomy and application of remineralizing, antiseptic and/or desensitizing substances.
The different autonomous communities may have other free services, so it is recommended to consult the Health Department of our community of residence. Or to our family doctor.