Tooth loss is a serious problem in Lithuania, with around 30% of Lithuanians over the age of 65 having no teeth of their own. The loss of a few or all teeth leads to irreversible biological changes: loss of jawbone, changes in the bite, misalignment of adjacent teeth, loss of the remaining teeth, loss of the dentures, disruption of the digestive system, and impairment of the social life. No matter how many teeth are missing or where they are missing, the problem must be addressed without delay.
“The purpose of removable dentures is to restore the aesthetics and function of the lost teeth, so it is important that the patient’s choice of denture and tooth placement techniques allows for the fitting of better removable dentures that meet the requirements of occlusion and articulation,” says dentist Ieva Kumžienė, a dentist at CLINIC | DPC. – “We are pleased to announce that for those who are eligible for dentures at the expense of the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund (CHIF), i.e., Pensioners, children under 18 years of age, persons who have been declared unable to work or partially able to work, and persons who have been treated for oral and maxillofacial oncological diseases, removable dentures will be produced at no extra charge in all CLINIC | DPC clinics in the first quarter of this year,” says Laura Bukaveckienė, Sales Manager of the dental clinic chain.
The technicians working in the CLINIC | DPC laboratory have a wealth of theoretical knowledge and practical skills that enable them to produce removable denture plates that are well-fitted, lightweight, aesthetically pleasing, and tight against the gums. The dental technicians shape all the plates according to a spherical plane, which better restores chewing function. Improperly made complete removable dentures accelerate jawbone loss by unevenly distributing the chewing load.
The clinic’s dentists and dental technicians work closely together to ensure the quality of their work and produce prostheses that are not only comfortable for the patient, but also restore the lost chewing and speech function and aesthetic appearance.
No need to see a family doctor
The Ministry of Health has recently announced a change in the procedure for those who want and are entitled to have their teeth treated at the expense of the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund (CHIF). The change will not only reduce the workload for general practitioners, but will also shorten the procedure for patients to receive dentures. Our interlocutor agreed to tell us more about this.
“In the past, people who wanted to have their teeth replaced with prosthetic teeth financed by the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund had to visit their family doctor, who would issue a referral to a dentist. After the dentist’s visit, the patient had to apply to the Territorial Health Insurance Funds. Now dentists have the right to enter the necessary data into the system without a referral from the family doctor and check whether the patient is entitled to reimbursement. The dentist first assesses the patient’s oral and dental condition and then decides what treatment is needed. If it is prosthetics, the doctor checks the TLK data and registers the patient for treatment,” says L. Bukaveckienė. – “In short, we will take care of everything for you, all you have to do is visit one of the eleven CLINIC | DPC clinics.”
Persons who are eligible for reimbursed dentures and have been found eligible for dentures will no longer have to apply for inclusion on a waiting list and wait for approval from the territorial health insurance funds. Once eligibility and eligibility have been established, dentists will only need to enter the data into the Electronic Health Services and Collaborative Infrastructure Information System (EHRIS) and register the person in the Dental Prosthetics Subsystem of the Queue and Stock Management Information System (EVIS DP).
Frequently asked questions from patients
The changed conditions have caused confusion and left unanswered questions for some patients, so the representative of CLINIC | DPC clinic tried to answer the most common ones.
Who is entitled to dentures reimbursed by the PSDF budget?
L. Bukaveckienė says that most of the time people do not even know that they are entitled to compensation from the Territorial Health Insurance Funds. “We often receive calls when people read an advertisement in the newspaper and ask if we provide free teeth. The short answer is that we do, but not for everyone. The following insured persons are entitled to it: persons who have reached the age of retirement pension; children under 18; persons who have been declared unable to work or partially able to work; persons who have received treatment for oral and maxillofacial oncological disease.
What if I want to get prosthetics reimbursement?
The first step is to go to a dentist who has a contract with the National Dental Council. The CLINIC | DPC network of clinics has such an agreement, so you can go to one of our clinics in any city to find out if you qualify for dentures.
Which one how much will the state reimburse and will I have to pay extra?
For pensioners, children under 18, people with disabilities and people who have been treated for oral and maxillofacial cancer, removable dentures will be made free of charge by dentists at CLINIC | DPC clinics, after all the necessary paperwork is completed.
What do I need to know to start treatment at CLINIC | DPC clinics?
According to her, people wishing to receive prosthesis compensation should simply call the clinic at +370 632 00 005 for a consultation.
Consult remotely
We are well aware that with the second wave of corona-virus and the country under quarantine, visiting the dentist can be a real challenge. For the safety of our patients and to provide maximum convenience, we offer remote consultations. We have no doubt that young patients are not surprised by such a service, but we encourage not only young people but also their elderly relatives to take advantage of it. We will listen to complaints and expectations, and explain treatment options. All you have to do is choose the right time and come for treatment!
We are guided by the principle that there is no such thing as a dead end, and we are taking every measure to ensure that our patients face as few difficulties as possible during this unstable period. Are you thinking about removable dentures or does your loved one need them? Contact the staff at CLINIC | DPC, who will answer any questions you may have.
