Wisdom teeth removal on the medical card
With a medical card (aged 16 and over), extractions are covered at a dentist in the HSE scheme. More complex care needs the approval of the HSE's local Principal Dental Surgeon first, so ask the dentist what's covered for your removal before you book.
What the HSE scheme covers, what needs approval, and what to ask first.
Free to send, no obligation. One registered dentist rings you, not five.
- 16+medical card holders
- Extractionscovered at a scheme dentist
- Approvalfor more complex care
- €250–€420private surgical price, per tooth
What the medical card covers
Under the HSE's dental scheme for medical card holders aged 16 and over, the services are an examination, two fillings a year, extractions and a scale and polish. More complex care is subject to the approval of the local HSE Principal Dental Surgeon.
Check what your removal involves
Four quick taps. You see the likely type of removal, the likely cost, the tax relief and your recovery time. Your number is only asked for at the end, if you want an assessment.
Say one lower wisdom tooth is stuck under the gum: that's usually a surgical removal, typically €250 to €420 at Irish practices, plus €50 to €83 for the x-ray, with 20% tax relief back.
How this is worked out
The likely type of removal comes from what you tell us: a tooth that's stuck under the gum, or partly through in the lower jaw, usually needs a small cut in the gum; one that's through and easy to reach usually comes out whole. The prices are the range Irish dental practices publish for a wisdom tooth, per tooth, plus a panoramic x-ray and, if you pick it, IV sedation. Tax relief is 20% of the removal when it's a surgical extraction of an impacted wisdom tooth. The recovery times are the HSE's. It's a guide to plan with, never a diagnosis or a quote: the dentist decides after an examination and an x-ray.
Before you book
- Find a dentist who takes part in the scheme.
- Ask whether your removal is covered, or needs the HSE's approval first.
- Ask what's covered if you need sedation or a referral to a specialist.
If it isn't covered
The private price is €150 to €270 a tooth for a simple extraction and €250 to €420 for a surgical removal. A surgical extraction of an impacted tooth gets 20% tax relief. How to claim.
Questions people ask
Is wisdom teeth removal free with a medical card?
With a medical card (aged 16 and over), extractions are covered at a dentist in the HSE scheme. More complex care needs the approval of the HSE's local Principal Dental Surgeon first, so ask the dentist what's covered for your removal before you book.
Who can use the medical card dental scheme?
Medical card holders aged 16 and over, at a dentist who takes part in the HSE scheme.
What if my removal needs approval?
The dentist applies to the HSE. More complex care needs the local Principal Dental Surgeon's approval before treatment.
Check what your removal involves
Four taps to the likely type, cost and recovery, then one Dental Council registered dentist or oral surgeon who covers your county rings you.