Oral problems start at an increasingly younger age. Fillings, cavities or restorations appear in children with baby teeth. For this reason, dental check-ups have to be brought forward. But for many families, going to the dentist's office can be a big expense. Fortunately for families living in Madrid this will be a great relief. Because in this region there is an initiative, thanks to which children between the ages of 7 and 17 can receive free dental treatment such as root canals, crowns, fillings or re-implants.
Free dental treatment for children and young people in Madrid
It is known as the Children's Dental Care Plan or PADI, thanks to an agreement between the Madrid Health Service and the Official College of Dentists and Stomatologists (COEM) of that community. It is expected to start operating between 2019-2020.
Children and young people between the ages of 7 and 17 (there are plans to extend this to 18 years) can go to the dentist free of charge when they have caries, or suffer from a infectious or inflammatory process in the mouth. This service attends to other oral complications such as root canals, placement of porcelain pins or crowns and other dental implants, as well as special treatments due to malformations.
This assistance includes annual reviews and personalised attention whenever children and young people in Madrid need it.
Excluded dental treatments
It does not, however, include the orthodontics nor purely aesthetic treatments. Extraction of healthy teeth and implantation of teeth are also excluded, except in the case of patients with cancer or congenital malformations.
Where to go
To do this, make an appointment with the dentist at the corresponding health centre and from the Oral Health Unit, Children are referred to other specialised dental centres; there is no need to visit a paediatrician. The prerequisite for these special treatments free of charge is the following reside in the Community of Madrid and hold an individual health card in this region. You can also go directly to any professional who is accredited by the COEM and who is on the list of those registered in the agreement..
Information of interest to parents
Cases in which children or young people present with infectious or inflammatory conditions accompanied by acute pain will be given priority in their care. This Children's Dental Plan is planned to be extended in the future with private concerts with other professionals free of charge.
All information can be found in the Portal de Salud de la Comunidad de Madrid and in the free phone 900 102 112.
As parents we have an obligation to help improve our children's oral health by preventive dental hygiene measures. It is important to monitor their daily oral hygiene, after each meal, as well as their diet. It is important that we lead by example.
