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Dentists in
Portugal are overseen by the Ordem
dos Medicos Dentistas (OMD), which all dentists must
belong. To practice dentistry in
Portugal,
dentists must obtain the Carta de Curso de
Licenciatura em Medicina Dentaria, which is issued
by the OMD and must display their OMD number within
their offices or clinic.
Once
qualified dentists in Portugal can then train to be
orthodontists enabling them to perform more complex
dental surgery and cosmetic work. Dental hygienists and
technicians also have to be qualified in Portugal before
they can work within the industry.
Dentists
clinics in
Portugal
are mostly privately practices, much like
in the United Kingdom, though they can be much more cost
effective if you are needing to have some dental work
carried out. There are some dentists in Portugal who are
contracted for a set salary who work within the public
health care system.
And, in
Portugal, you
don't need to visit the dentist every six months to
remain on their books, unlike the United Kingdom.
Dentists in
Portugal do recommend an annual check
up, though will not refuse your custom if you do not
visit on a yearly basis.
In
Portugal
you can visit whichever dental practice
you choose to. You will need to ensure, if you are
living and working in Portugal, you have your Cartão
de Utente with you when you visit a
Dentists in
Portugal to ensure you don't pay the
full amount. If you forget to bring your Cartão de
Utente, then you will have to pay for the visit and
any treatment given, though the rates are very
reasonable. Children between the ages of 3 and 16,
pregnant women and old age pensioners in Portugal do
qualify for free dental health care.
If you
are visiting
Portugal
on holiday and need to visit a dentist
you will have to pay for the visit and the subsequent
treatment, though if the appointment is an emergency you
may be able to claim this back through your travel
insurance, though it is wise to ensure you have your
EHIC card with you.
Dental
clinics (clinicas odontológicas) are well
equipped with most being able to offer not only the
normal dentistry work, but specialist orthodontist
procedures and cosmetic work including teeth whitening
and plaque removal.
However
if you wish to brush up on your Portuguese phrases just
in case you need to visit the dentist in the coming
months or years, check out our
Dental Phrases in Portuguese
page. |
