Children’s dental care in Estonia 2026: state support, prices, and how to find the best pediatric dentist
Children’s dental care in Estonia 2026 is generally free for insured children under 19 years of age when provided by a Health Insurance Fund contract partner, for services funded by the Health Insurance Fund. Before the visit, the most important things for parents to check are whether the chosen dentist has a valid contract with the Health Insurance Fund and whether the necessary treatment is covered by the funded services.
Quick answer
The Health Insurance Fund pays for dental care for an insured child under 19 years of age if the treatment is provided by a Health Insurance Fund contract partner and is a service funded by the Health Insurance Fund. If the clinic has no contract, you must pay the full cost of the treatment yourself, and the Health Insurance Fund will not reimburse you later.
Children’s dental care in Estonia 2026: who is eligible for free treatment?
According to official information from the Health Insurance Fund, the state pays for dental care for insured children under 19 years of age. However, free treatment is conditional on the dental care being provided by a Health Insurance Fund contract partner.
This means that the child’s age and health insurance alone are not enough. If you choose a clinic that does not have a contract with the Health Insurance Fund for children’s dental care, you must pay for the service yourself and cannot claim the amount back from the Fund later.
Health Insurance Fund official information:
Dental care for children.
You can check the Health Insurance Fund’s contract partners here:
Health Insurance Fund dentists and contract partners.
What happens when a young person turns 19 years old?
Here is an important exception that many families are unaware of.
If the need for treatment was identified at the patient’s last dental visit before turning 19 years old, free treatment may continue for another year after their 19th birthday. According to the Health Insurance Fund, in this case treatment must continue with the same dental care provider where the need for treatment was identified before the patient turned 19.
That is why dental check-ups should not be left until the last moment during the teenage years.
Is all dental care for children automatically free?
Not exactly. The Health Insurance Fund pays for services that are included among the health services it funds.
In practice, this means that before starting more extensive or specialized treatment, it is always worth asking the clinic:
- whether the clinic has a valid Health Insurance Fund contract for children’s dental care;
- whether the planned procedure is among the services funded by the Health Insurance Fund;
- whether the family will have to pay for any part of the treatment plan themselves;
- what the price of paid additional services is, if they are needed.
The Health Insurance Fund emphasizes that it pays only for dental services included in the current list of health care services.
Important: free dental care for children is not the same system as the dental care benefit for adults. For children, the Health Insurance Fund pays its contract partner directly for funded treatment.
Are braces and orthodontic treatment for children free?
Different rules apply to orthodontics. The Health Insurance Fund pays for children’s orthodontic treatment, including braces, only for specific diagnoses.
As of 2026, the Health Insurance Fund funds children’s orthodontic treatment for, among other things, the following conditions:
- prognathic bite, if the sagittal discrepancy is 9 mm or greater;
- prognathic bite, i.e. the lower jaw is positioned in front of the upper jaw;
- certain cases of severe malocclusion;
- impacted permanent incisors or canines;
- certain cases of congenital absence of permanent teeth;
- cleft lip and palate and other congenital malformations of the craniofacial system;
- a specific malocclusion in cases of severe or moderate obstructive sleep apnea;
- deep traumatic bite;
- a specific extensive lateral crossbite that affects facial symmetry and jaw development.
If the diagnosis does not meet Tervisekassa's funding criteria, Tervisekassa will not pay for orthodontic treatment. In this case, you should ask the orthodontic clinic directly about the cost of treatment.
In addition, to receive free orthodontic treatment, the selected service provider must have a corresponding contract with Tervisekassa. Tervisekassa also points out that waiting lists for funded orthodontic treatment may be long.
Accurate and up-to-date list of diagnoses:
Health Insurance Fund – orthodontics for children.
How much does children's dental care cost in Estonia in 2026?
| Situation | Who pays? |
|---|---|
| An insured child under 19, a Tervisekassa contractual partner, and a funded service | Tervisekassa |
| The clinic does not have the relevant contract with the Health Insurance Fund | The family pays for the entire service themselves |
| The service is not among the services funded by Tervisekassa | The family pays themselves |
| Orthodontics for a diagnosis specified by the Health Insurance Fund, at a contracted provider | Tervisekassa |
| Orthodontics for a diagnosis that does not meet the funding criteria | The family pays themselves |
Therefore, it is not practical to look for one general “children's dental care price list”. For treatment funded by Tervisekassa, the service is free for the child, while the prices of paid procedures depend on the specific clinic and treatment plan.
How to access free dental care for children?
1. Check the child’s health insurance coverage
Tervisekassa rahastab alla 19-aastaste kindlustatud laste hambaravi. Kui lapse kindlustuse osas on kahtlusi, saab ravikindlustuse andmeid kontrollida riigi e-teenustes.
2. Choose a Health Insurance Fund contracted provider
Before booking an appointment, check the official Tervisekassa partner list to see whether the selected dentist or clinic has the relevant contract.
See Tervisekassa’s dental care contracted partners →
3. For more complex treatment, check in advance what Tervisekassa will cover
This is especially important in the case of orthodontics, a more extensive treatment plan, or additional services. Before starting treatment, ask the clinic which parts of the treatment are funded by Tervisekassa and whether any service is subject to a fee.
4. Don’t wait until a toothache starts
Tervisekassa recommends taking the child to the dentist at least once a year. The aim of regular check-ups is to detect problems before they become complicated or painful.
If everything is in order in the child's mouth, Tervisekassa recommends that the first dental visit take place before the age of three, although the child may be taken to the dentist earlier.
When should a child go to the dentist for the first time?
You do not need to take your child to the dentist only when they complain of pain.
An early visit helps the child become comfortable with the dentist and the clinic environment. The dentist can also assess how the teeth are coming through, oral hygiene and any potential early problems.
According to Tervisekassa’s recommendation, a child should be taken to the dentist before their third birthday, and then have a check-up at least once a year.
How to choose the right dentist for your child?
“The best paediatric dentist” does not mean the same dentist for every child. One child may do best with a very calm and gentle approach, while another may value a short waiting time or the clinic’s location.
When choosing, it is worth checking the following:
- Tervisekassa agreement – this is the most important factor for free treatment;
- experience with children – especially if the child is afraid of the dentist;
- location – a nearby clinic makes life easier for regular check-ups;
- appointment times and waiting list – there may be a longer wait to see popular dentists;
- communication with the child – the dentist should explain procedures in a way that is appropriate for the child’s age;
- clarity of the treatment plan – for more complex treatment, the parent should understand what will be done and who will pay for it.
Always check whether a Tervisekassa agreement is in place using Tervisekassa’s official list.
A useful question to ask the clinic before booking:
“Does your clinic have an agreement with Tervisekassa for children’s dental care, and is the treatment planned for my child covered by services funded by Tervisekassa?”
Does Tervisekassa fund myofunctional therapy?
Yes, in certain cases. If there is a medical indication, Tervisekassa funds appointments with an orofacial myofunctional therapy specialist when the child is referred by a dentist or orthodontist.
Whether therapy is necessary and funded for a particular child should be discussed with a dentist or orthodontist.
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Frequently asked questions about children’s dental care
Is children’s dental care free in Estonia in 2026?
Yes. Tervisekassa covers dental care for insured children under 19 years of age if the service is provided by a Tervisekassa contracted partner and the treatment is among the services funded by Tervisekassa.
Can free dental care for children be used at any clinic?
No. To receive free treatment, the clinic must have a corresponding contract with Tervisekassa. If there is no contract, the family pays for the treatment themselves, and Tervisekassa will not reimburse the amount later.
Are braces free for children?
Not automatically. Tervisekassa funds orthodontic treatment for children, including braces, only for specific diagnoses. If the diagnosis does not meet the funding criteria, orthodontic treatment must be paid for privately.
How often should a child visit the dentist?
Tervisekassa recommends taking a child to the dentist at least once a year.
When should a child have their first dental visit?
If there are no problems, Tervisekassa recommends taking the child to the dentist before they turn three. The first visit can be made earlier to help the child get to know the dentist.
What happens after a child turns 19?
If the need for treatment was identified at the last visit before the child turned 19, free treatment may continue for another year under certain conditions with the same service provider.
How can you check whether a dentist is a Tervisekassa partner?
The surest way is to use Tervisekassa’s official list of dental care contractual partners:
view the list of partners here.
Summary: what should parents keep in mind?
In 2026, dental care in Estonia for insured children under 19 years of age is free for services covered at Tervisekassa contractual partners. The most important thing is to check before the appointment whether the clinic has a valid contract with Tervisekassa.
Special conditions apply to orthodontic treatment: Tervisekassa covers treatment only for certain diagnoses. Therefore, before starting braces or other orthodontic treatment, it is worth confirming both the diagnosis and the funding conditions.
Regular check-ups help identify problems early. Tervisekassa recommends taking a child to the dentist at least once a year and arranging the first visit no later than before the age of three.
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Sources
- Tervisekassa – dental care for children
- Tervisekassa – orthodontics for children
- Tervisekassa – dental care contractual partners
- Tervisekassa – dental care
Editor's note: the article was updated as of 18.09.2026. The list of services funded by Tervisekassa, contractual partners and treatment conditions may change. Before starting treatment, check the current information on Tervisekassa’s website or with the selected healthcare provider.