In relation to coronavirus outbreak, the emergency dental treatment is still available

In this emergency situation and in relation to the coronavirus outbreak, the Health Board decided to suspend all scheduled dental treatment. In the case of an acute dental emergency, however, emergency dental treatment continues to be available.

The first step should always be for a person to consult their dentist to determine whether they can be assisted over the phone, and, if necessary, get a prescription for medications. For acute dental conditions, however, certain clinics with a valid contract with the Health Insurance Fund are available for providing emergency treatment. In order to ensure safety, it is mandatory to make an appointment!

Everyone has a right to free emergency dental care, regardless of whether they have health insurance or not. Emergency dental care is provided when postponing treatment or not treating the patient may cause death or a permanent health damage. Emergency treatment is provided in the case of extraordinary conditions that may require pulling a tooth or cutting open a dental abscess. Whether or not a condition requires emergency treatment is decided by a dentist.

Services provided as emergency treatment

• First aid for the oral health of children
• Dental traumas
• Visible swelling and severe pain around the jaw area
• Severe pain in the temporomandibular joint area, trismus
• Severe toothache that does not respond to medication
• Acute infection caused by the eruption of wisdom teeth
• Bleeding from a mouth wound
• Acute salivary gland diseases
• Acute gum diseases
• Infection following the removal of a tooth
• Unfinished dental extractions that require immediate intervention

In order to ensure that emergency treatment is available in Estonia every day, the Estonian Health Insurance Fund and the Estonian Dental Association have agreed on specific emergency dental clinics in every county, capable of providing first aid service. The list includes contractual partners of the Health Insurance Fund who must ensure that emergency treatment is available for everyone; they are paid accordingly for preparedness. The Health Insurance Fund covers the costs of emergency dental care provided by contractual partners. The service provider may ask a patient to only cover their visit fee of five euros.

Emergency dental care is provided in treatment facilities in accordance with the strict protective measures established by the Health Board. In order to determine the severity of the patient’s condition, they are triaged, meaning determining the priority of a patients’ treatment. Treatment is provided by doctors wearing protective gear, who use FFP2 or FFP3 respirators, protective goggles, and a visor as personal protective equipment. The room is disinfected for 20 minutes after each patient.

Guidelines for patients who need emergency dental treatment

Call your dentist or the advice line at 1220. The list of on-call clinics that provide daily emergency dental treatment is available on the website of the Health Insurance Fund.

Answer the questions that you are asked about your health.

Come to the treatment facility on the agreed time and call upon arrival. Wait until you are asked to enter the clinic. Avoid all contact with other patients or if it is not possible, keep a distance of at least 2 metres.

We advise you not to use the bathroom in the clinic. After you enter the waiting room, disinfect your hands. Follow the instructions you are given for moving around in the clinic. After you leave, disinfect your hands again. If you get ill after your visit to the dentist, inform the treatment facility thereof immediately!