Do you need a dental implant but can't afford it? Find out what SUS offers for free, who is entitled and how to access it. See all the information available.

Image: Pixabay - Reproduction

How dental implants work with SUS

The Smiling Brazil Program was created in 2004 with the aim of giving the population access to oral health care. In the same year that the project was created and launched, the Ministry of Health carried out a survey and came up with the following results: 13% of teenagers had not yet been to the dentist; 20% of Brazilians had already lost all their teeth; and 45% of Brazilians could not afford to have a toothbrush and change it once a year.

Given this data, the importance of this project became clear, and within it there are sub-projects that have the same purpose, to bring oral health to the population and consequently quality of life. These sub-projects include:

  • Indigenous Smiling Brazil;
  • Minamata Convention;
  • Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies;
  • National Plan for People with Disabilities and the;
  • Health at School Program, for example.

In this way, the focus of the program is on low-income and vulnerable people, so that they have a better quality of life and even better self-esteem. After all, a smile is part of who we are.

Dental treatments offered by SUS

Next, you should know that SUS offers a range of treatments, from the most basic to those that are considered more expensive. However, it's important to know that the more expensive procedures are not available in all health systems in Brazil.

This is because each municipality receives a sum of money to invest in this program and is free to invest it as they see fit. As a result, most of them choose to prioritize procedures that are more popular and cheaper.

Basic procedures include cleaning, removing and extracting teeth, while more expensive procedures include dental implants, orthognathic surgery, braces, wisdom tooth extraction and endodontics, for example.

When it happens that the city's SUS doesn't have a procedure that isn't basic, the city's health secretary refers the person to a neighboring municipality that does. Because of this process, it's very common to be left on a waiting list, but they always call. 

What is a dental implant? How are dental implants made?

Dental implants are often used to replace dentures, although they still exist and are offered by the SUS. However, dental implants have the advantage of being a fixed part that doesn't cause discomfort.

The dentist will then place a piece of titanium that will replace the root of your tooth and fix the tooth he made on top of it. But rest assured that during the procedure you will be given a local anesthetic so that it doesn't hurt and your body is unlikely to reject the material.

If you have diabetes, high blood pressure or any other chronic illness, you need to be monitored by a doctor to avoid complications. In addition, dental implants are contraindicated for children and teenagers because they are still in the growth phase, so due to changes in the facial bone, the implant may have to be relocated.

Am I entitled to a dental implant?

Finally, find out whether or not you are entitled to a dental implant. As you've read throughout this article, the services offered by SUS are the right of every Brazilian citizen, but the Smiling Brazil Program gives priority to people on low incomes and in vulnerable situations.

This way, regardless of race, gender, age group or social class, everyone is entitled to the services offered by this program. However, in order to be eligible for dental implants, you need to undergo an assessment with a dentist and prove that you are on a low income.

To do this, go to your local health center with your personal documents (ID and SUS card) and proof of residence. After making an appointment, the dentist will forward your implant request to your city's health secretary, where the team will evaluate your documents and place you in the queue according to the level of urgency.

Remembering that people on low incomes, the elderly and those with the most critical cases are the ones who have the highest priority in the queue, i.e. they will be attended to as a matter of priority because they can't wait long. The queue works by level of urgency, priority, risk and so on.

Don't forget to pay attention to the phone number on the form, as this is how they will contact you to schedule your dental implant.