Tooth loss is a serious health and aesthetic problem, and the cost of restorative treatment is understandably a concern for everyone. This is why patients often ask whether dental implants can be placed in a public hospital. However, behind the search for a “free” or “affordable” solution lies a complex reality that often leads to misunderstandings and inconvenience.
Public hospitals
ΤThe dental and maxillofacial surgery departments of large hospitals, such as “G. Gennimatas“, “Evangelismos“, “Laiko” and others, do great work, but they focus on hospital dentistry. This means that priority is given to:
- Emergency cases, such as facial injuries, jaw fractures, and serious infections.
- Special categories of patients, such as cancer patients (after tumour removal), heart patients, haemophiliacs, or people with disabilities requiring general anaesthesia, are also given priority.
Unfortunately, many people incorrectly believe they can make an appointment at a public hospital to have implants placed, just like they would for a filling. According to EOPYY regulations, dental implants are considered a “cosmetic” necessity and not an urgent medical need. Therefore, they are not covered and are not offered as a routine service.
For the average citizen who wants to replace a tooth due to tooth decay or periodontitis, the public hospital does not offer the relevant service. Even in the rare cases where a public hospital undertakes an implant procedure (e.g., after a car accident), the “free” part refers to the medical procedure. The cost of materials (the implant itself, grafts, and accessories) is almost always borne by the patient, who is required to pay the cost of implants from external suppliers, as hospitals do not have funds for such materials.
Dental Schools (EKPA & APTH)
An alternative solution for the general public is dental schools, such as the University of Athens in Athens, the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Thessaloniki and others. However, these are educational institutions and not hospitals.
The procedures are performed by postgraduate students (qualified dentists who are specialists) under the supervision of professors. Not all patients are accepted, but priority is given to cases that serve the educational needs of the students. Treatment follows the pace of the students and the semesters, turning a process that takes a few days into a matter of months or even a year.
If a patient makes an appointment, the placement cost is low, but they must pay for the implant and prosthetic crown.
Private clinics
In an environment where the public sector is unable to meet financial needs and universities require wait times that modern people do not have, private clinics specialising in implants fill the gap by offering immediate, high-value services. At Advanced Implant Clinics, we use only the highest quality materials, and our scientific staff focuses exclusively on dental implants. Contact us for a diagnosis and cost estimate.
