Dental care for children under 19: what the state pays for
In Estonia, dental treatment for insured children under 19 is paid for by Tervisekassa, provided it is carried out at a clinic that holds the relevant contract with the Fund. Parents should know that this does not extend to every dental service: orthodontic treatment, braces included, is paid for by Tervisekassa only on specific medical grounds.
Author: Elizaveta Ivanova, Dentist What is covered
In Estonia, dental treatment for insured children under 19 is paid for by Tervisekassa. The programme covers preventive check-ups, preventive procedures, the treatment of caries and other necessary dental services within the Fund's list. The annual limit of 60/105 € that applies to adults does not apply to children.
What matters is that the clinic holds a valid contract with Tervisekassa specifically for treating children. Soul Dental Studio has such a contract, so treatment for children under 19 is carried out within Tervisekassa funding.
When Tervisekassa pays for bite correction
Bite correction, braces included, is paid for by Tervisekassa only on specific medical grounds. These concern pronounced bite disorders and problems in the development of the jaws and teeth.
Such grounds include, for instance, a pronounced protrusion of the upper jaw with an overjet of 9 mm or more, certain cases of unerupted permanent incisors or canines, the congenital absence of a given number of permanent teeth, a pronounced open bite or a traumatic deep bite, and other diagnoses set out by Tervisekassa.
If there are no medical grounds from the established list, bite correction is paid for by the patient. Whether treatment is needed, and whether it meets the Fund's criteria, is determined after diagnostics.
When to bring a child to the dentist for the first time
Don't wait until a tooth hurts. Early visits let the child get to know the dentist and grow used to the surgery without any need for complicated treatment straight away.
Regular preventive check-ups make it possible to spot caries in good time and to assess hygiene and the development of the bite. Tervisekassa recommends bringing a child for a dental check-up at least once a year.
How to prepare a child
Before the visit, tell your child calmly where you are going, without describing the treatment in detail. It is better to choose a time when the child has slept, eaten and is not tired. You can bring a favourite toy along and let the dentist build contact with the child at their own pace.
It is better to avoid phrases like “don't be afraid”, “it won't hurt” and “there's nothing to it”, as well as stories about your own unpleasant experiences at the dentist. Don't promise that the dentist will “only take a look” if you already know that treatment is planned — the child needs to keep trusting both parent and dentist.
“Milk teeth will fall out anyway”
Milk teeth need treating too. Deep caries and inflammation can lead to pain and infection, and losing a milk tooth early can affect the position of the neighbouring teeth and the space the permanent tooth needs to come through.
The point of treating milk teeth, then, is not only to keep them until they are naturally replaced, but to create the conditions for the permanent teeth and the bite to develop properly.
Sources
This article is for information only and does not replace an examination. The terms for paying for children's treatment and bite correction are set by the state and may change — see the Tervisekassa website for the current list.
Articles explain the general picture; the decision is always individual. Come in for a consultation — the dentist will examine you, take a scan and explain the options with an estimate.
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