ACC Dental Treatment in Lower Hutt

ACC is New Zealand’s no-fault accidental injury compensation scheme. It provides comprehensive cover for most personal injuries, including dental injuries, that occur as a result of an accident. This could be an accident at home, work, school, during sports, or in a motor vehicle incident.
Common dental injuries that may be covered by ACC include:

It’s important to note that ACC does not cover dental problems that arise from normal wear and tear, poor oral hygiene, or pre-existing conditions not directly caused or aggravated by an accident. For example, a toothache due to a cavity that wasn’t caused by an accident would not typically be covered by ACC.

Seeking prompt dental assessment after an accident is crucial, not only for your oral health but also for lodging an ACC claim correctly.

If you have suffered a dental injury due to an accident, Switch Dental is here to help you through the process of assessment, treatment, and managing your ACC claim.

Here’s what you can typically expect:

1. Seek Prompt Assessment: Contact us as soon as possible after your dental injury. Early assessment and treatment can significantly improve the outcome.
2. Initial Consultation and Examination: Our dentist will carefully examine the injured area, assess the extent of the damage, and may take X-rays or other diagnostic scans if necessary. We will discuss our findings with you and explain the nature of your injury.
3. Lodging an ACC Claim: As registered ACC providers, we can help you complete and lodge the necessary ACC claim form (usually an ACC42 Dental Injury Claim Form). You will need to provide details about how, when, and where the accident occurred.
4. Treatment Plan and ACC Approval: Based on the assessment, we will develop a treatment plan to address your dental injury. For some treatments, we may need to seek prior approval from ACC before proceeding. ACC will determine the extent of their contribution towards the cost of your treatment.
5. Receiving Treatment: Once the claim is accepted and any necessary approvals are obtained, we can proceed with the required dental treatment. This could range from simple repairs like bonding a chipped tooth or re-cementing a crown, to more complex procedures like root canal treatment for a traumatised tooth, splinting a loose tooth, or managing a knocked-out tooth.
6. ACC Contribution and Co-payments: ACC usually contributes a portion of the cost for accident-related dental treatment. The amount covered depends on the specific injury, the treatment required, and ACC’s schedule of contributions. There is often a co-payment (the portion of the fee that you will need to pay). We will provide you with a clear estimate of any co-payment before treatment begins.
7. Follow-up Care: Depending on your injury, follow-up appointments may be necessary to monitor your healing and ensure the success of the treatment.

Our team is experienced in managing ACC dental claims and will guide you through each step, aiming to make the process as straightforward as possible during what can be a stressful time.

What should I do immediately after a dental injury?
If a tooth is knocked out, try to gently place it back in the socket without touching the root, or store it in milk or saliva and see a dentist immediately. For other injuries, rinse your mouth with cool water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. Contact us as soon as possible.

How long do I have to lodge an ACC claim for a dental injury?
It’s best to lodge your claim as soon as possible after the injury, ideally within 12 months. Seeking prompt dental assessment helps with this process.

Does ACC cover the full cost of dental treatment?
ACC usually covers a portion of the cost. The amount depends on the injury and ACC’s regulations. There is often a co-payment required from the patient. We will discuss this with you before treatment.