Did you know that you don't have to pay for basic dental treatment? NFZ finances a wide range of dental procedures, from simple fillings to dentures. Check which services you are entitled to for free and how to use them in 2025.
Basic dental procedures under NFZ – what are you entitled to?
Every insured person can use free dental care without a referral. The Ministry of Health informs that in case of sudden pain, the dentist should provide help the same day, although in practice this may depend on the availability of appointments at a given facility [1].
Basic procedures reimbursed by NFZ include:
- dental examination with hygiene instruction (once a year),
- check-up examinations (three times a year),
- treatment of caries using composite fillings.
- removal of tartar from half of the dental arch (once a year)
You will also receive free local anesthesia during each procedure.
SEE ALSO: WHO Strategy 2023-2030: how do global experts plan to solve the global dental health crisis?
Special entitlements for pregnant and postpartum women
Pregnant and postpartum women have extended rights to dental care on NFZ. They can benefit from tartar removal from all teeth every 6 months (instead of the standard year) and dental check-ups every quarter. This is important because hormonal changes during this period increase the risk of gum and tooth problems.
Root canal treatment on NFZ – when is it available for free?
Root canal treatment on NFZ is one of the more expensive procedures you can get for free, but only in specific cases. For adults, treatment is reimbursed only for front teeth (excluding premolars and molars), but children, adolescents up to 18 years old, and pregnant and postpartum women can count on the full range of root canal therapy in the entire dentition [2].
The procedure includes filling 1, 2, or 3 canals, depending on the tooth structure. However, remember that the benefit does not cover the reconstruction of the tooth crown after the treatment is completed. Thanks to this, you can save your tooth from extraction, which is always a better solution than removal.
Dental prostheses on NFZ – how to get free tooth replacement?
If you are missing 5-8 teeth in one arch, you are entitled to a partial denture on NFZ once every 5 years. In the case of complete edentulism, you can receive a complete denture, also once every 5 years [3]. Additionally, NFZ covers denture repair once every 2 years and relining of the denture also once every 2 years.
New in 2025: overdenture prostheses on secured roots
Since January 2025, an innovative type of prosthesis has been introduced – overdenture based on secured tooth roots. This modern solution offers better stability than traditional complete dentures because it uses the roots remaining after root canal treatment as additional support [4].
People after surgical treatment of tumors in the craniofacial area are not subject to time limits for prosthesis replacement – they can receive new prostheses according to medical needs.
New dental procedures in 2025
The list of dental services on NFZ has been significantly expanded since January 2025. Among others, the following have been added:
- preventive sealing of fissures with PRR type 1 materials,
- repositioning of dislocated teeth,
- panoramic X-rays in a broader scope.
Panoramic X-rays on NFZ
From 2025 you can receive a free panoramic X-ray with a description in two situations: for root canal treatment and before starting prosthetic treatment. For adults, the benefit is available once every 5 years, for children and adolescents (5-18 years) once every 3 years in medically justified cases.
Special services for children
Children can now benefit from varnishing not only permanent teeth but also milk teeth – which significantly improves caries prevention in the earliest years of life. Special preventive visits for children at 3 years old have also been introduced, which include assessment of dental development and orthodontic prevention.
Surgical dental procedures under NFZ
Within dental surgery, you can get the following free of charge:
- remove single- and multi-rooted teeth (also surgically),
- surgically remove impacted teeth,
- dress wounds and stop bleeding in the oral cavity.
NFZ also covers treatment of lesions on the oral mucosa and enucleation of odontogenic cysts. Since 2025, non-traumatic immobilization of teeth has also been added in cases of dislocations, root fractures, or replantation of knocked-out teeth in children and adolescents.
SEE ALSO: Which oral hygiene accessories to choose – toothbrushes, floss, irrigators, or maybe something more?
How to find an NFZ dentist?
To use free dental services, you must go to a clinic that has a contract with NFZ. Addresses of such facilities can be found in the online provider search on the NFZ website. The average waiting time is currently 20 days for stable cases and 0 days for urgent ones.
Remember that if you choose a service reimbursed by NFZ, you cannot pay extra for a higher standard – you must either accept the offered level or forgo the procedure under the insurance.
How to avoid frequent visits to the dentist?
The best way to reduce visits to the NFZ dentist is effective home prevention. Regular oral hygiene is the foundation of healthy teeth and saves time searching for available appointments at NFZ-contracted facilities.
It will definitely work well in daily care:
- rotary sonic toothbrush with 60° rotational movement ZENT®SoniQ+, which removes up to 10 times more plaque than a traditional toothbrush,
- a supplement can be the irrigator ZENT®Stream+ for cleaning interdental spaces, more effective and pleasant to use than dental floss,
- ultrasonic cleaner ZENT® Ultrasonic Cleaner for disinfecting toothbrushes, as well as dentures or the sterilizer ZENT®Uevo Duo providing elimination of bacteria and fungi, which significantly reduces the risk of oral infections.
Regular use of professional devices combined with systematic check-ups will allow you to enjoy healthy teeth and use NFZ dental services less frequently.
The NFZ system offers a wide range of free dental services, which were significantly expanded in 2025. From basic procedures such as cavity treatment, through dental prostheses, to modern procedures like pantomograms or overdenture prostheses. The key to accessing these services is finding a dentist with an NFZ contract and patience in waiting for an appointment. However, remember that prevention is best – regular oral hygiene will help you avoid most dental problems.
FAQ – most frequently asked questions
Do I need a referral to the NFZ dentist?
No, a referral to the dentist is not required. You can go directly to a dental office that has a contract with NFZ.
How much does a tooth implant cost under NFZ?
Dental implants are currently not reimbursed by NFZ. You can only receive traditional partial or full dentures free of charge.
Do children have greater rights at the NFZ dentist?
Yes, children and youth up to 18 years old have access to full root canal treatment of all teeth, fluoride varnishing, fissure sealing, and composite fillings in front teeth.
How long do you have to wait for a dentist appointment under NFZ?
According to NFZ data, the average waiting time is 20 days for stable cases and 0 days for urgent ones. For children, the average waiting time is 16 days.
What anesthesia is available under NFZ?
Local surface anesthesia is available under NFZ. From 2026, children in certain cases will be able to receive general anesthesia.
REFERENCES
[1] Ministry of Health, Announcement on guaranteed benefits in the field of dental treatment, Journal of Laws 2021 item 2148
[2] Regulation of the Minister of Health of November 6, 2013, on guaranteed benefits in the field of dental treatment
[3] Regulation of the Minister of Health of December 19, 2024, amending the regulation on guaranteed benefits in the field of dental treatment, Journal of Laws 2025 item 1
[4] Recommendation of AOTMiT No. 93/2019 regarding overdenture prostheses based on secured roots
