The denture benefit: 260 € every three years
Besides the annual dental treatment benefit, some insured people have a separate benefit for prosthetics. We explain who is entitled to it, how the three years are counted and what to bear in mind when planning treatment.
Author: Albert Baranov, Implant surgeon What this benefit is
Tervisekassa covers the cost of dentures up to 260 € over three years. This is a separate benefit that does not reduce the annual dental treatment benefit — if you are entitled to both, you can use both.
No money is paid out to the patient. The benefit is applied directly when you pay for the prosthetic work: the corresponding sum is deducted from the bill, and the settlement takes place between the clinic and Tervisekassa. The benefit can be used at a provider that holds the relevant contract with the Fund.
Who is entitled
The benefit is available to insured patients who are:
- over 63;
- receiving an old-age pension;
- receiving an incapacity for work pension;
- assessed as having partial or no capacity for work.
Your entitlement and the balance available can be checked on the state portal eesti.ee under “Hambaravi- ja proteesiteenuste info”.
How the three years are counted
The three-year period starts the first time the benefit is used. Once that period ends, a new limit becomes available. Any unused balance does not carry over to the next three-year period.
So if 90 € of the available 260 € was used over three years, the remaining 170 € does not move into the next period once this one ends.
What to bear in mind when planning
Before prosthetic work begins it is worth going through the full treatment plan and the approximate cost with your dentist. The dentist can determine the extent of treatment needed and explain which part the Tervisekassa benefit may cover.
If the sum still isn't enough
Prosthetic work is not cheap, and 260 euros covers only part of it. The rest can be spread over months: the benefit is applied first, and only what remains goes into the instalment plan.
Sources
This article is for information only and does not replace a consultation. Benefit amounts are set by the state and may change — see the Tervisekassa website for the current terms.
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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