Contents
As part of the services provided by the National Health Fund, it is possible to perform certain dental procedures. The level of financing of these services is often not sufficient to use modern methods of treatment that guarantee quality. Which one exactly? The differences are explained by Amadeusz Kuźniarski, Medical Director of the Academic Dental Polyclinic in Wrocław.
- Children and adolescents in Poland are entitled to free dental treatment under the National Health Fund
- Sometimes, however, it is worth investing money to take advantage of better-quality materials
- Some services are available only in private clinics – says the doctor. dent. Amadeusz Kuźniarski
- Do you want to live longer? Make a simple test and find out how!
- You can find more such stories on the TvoiLokony home page
Fillings in adolescents
Under the National Health Fund, children and adolescents up to 18 years of age are entitled to free dental treatment, including filling. When it comes to younger children, such a benefit is essentially no different from what a dentist will offer in a private clinic. However, the treatment of teeth in adolescents is completely different. Here, the use of fillings financed by the National Health Fund is not a good idea.
– In children with milk teeth, materials are often used which, thanks to their fluoride release properties, have a positive effect on the condition of the teeth. Glass ionomer material is used both as part of the NHF services and in private offices – Amadeusz Kuźniarski.
– In permanent dentition, in many clinical situations, composite light-cured fillings and prosthetic restorations (inlay, onlay, overlay) are the most optimal solution. They are more beneficial for maintaining proper function and improving aesthetics. Unfortunately, these are very cost-intensive procedures reserved for commercial treatments – adds the dentist.
Fillings in adults
When an adult patient has a cavity, he or she can go to an office cooperating with the National Health Fund and heal the tooth as part of free services. In the case of services financed by the National Health Fund, the procedure of cavity preparation does not differ from that offered by private clinics. However, the problem is with the filling used.
- Which dental procedures should be performed at the National Health Fund? Here are the dentist’s recommendations
– Fillings used in accordance with the principles of the National Health Fund have drastically more disadvantages than those used in the commercial sector. The preparation of the cavity itself does not differ much, but when filling the cavity, modern modified materials are used privately, depending on the case and the patient’s needs – explains the dentist.
– Preparation can be done with the help of optical tools, such as magnifiers or a microscope, thus increasing the accuracy of the preparation of a given defect, which has a large impact on increasing the success of treatment. The chemically cured composites refinanced by the National Health Fund are already somewhat outdated, and their mechanical and aesthetic properties are much worse.
Fillings for large cavities
In the case of a large defect, whether in a child or an adult patient, the use of methods refinanced by the National Health Fund is not the best solution.
- Filling cavities – characteristics, types, prices
– In the case of a large cavity, dental prosthetics is the best choice. Here, I would recommend the use of permanent restorations, e.g. made of ceramics. After the cavity is prepared, it can be scanned, sent to the laboratory, and the ceramic block filling is milled, thanks to which the treatment of a given tooth can be completed on the same day – says Amadeusz Kuźniarski.
– Such fillings give the best results in the case of large tooth cavities. Such a service is available only in private clinics.
Root canal treatment
It is better not to rely on the National Health Fund when it comes to root canal treatment. The methods that are refinanced are not the newest and most effective. But that’s not the biggest problem.
- How does dental treatment in Poland look like?
– The National Health Fund only finances the treatment of root canal incisors and canines. Meanwhile, the main problem of society is the need for root canal treatment of premolars and molars, i.e. those teeth that are not included in the list of reimbursed services. Due to the high importance of the above-mentioned teeth from the point of view of function (they are the basis for chewing and maintaining the proper position of the mandible in relation to the jaw), keeping them in the best condition for a long time is the basis of the patients’ health needs – explains Kuźniarski.
Prosthetics
The insufficiently wide range of services under the National Health Fund also applies to broadly understood prosthetics.
– In this area, it is generally not the best. The NHF refinances dentures for children and adolescents and basic removable restorations for adults. In 80 percent. a better solution would be in the case of removable restorations – injection methods and solutions based on implant prosthetics, and in the case of large losses of tooth hard tissues – supplements fixed, which the fund does not include in the scope of services. We dentists regret this. And patients just got used to it – emphasizes the Medical Director of the Academic Dental Polyclinic in Wrocław.
Also read:
- How to teach a child to care for his teeth?
- Do you brush your teeth often in a hurry? You can hurt yourself
- Everything you need to know about your teeth
- What is the risk of untreated caries?
The content of the medTvoiLokony website is intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and their doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website. Do you need a medical consultation or an e-prescription? Go to halodoctor.pl, where you will get online help – quickly, safely and without leaving your home.