How to get Tax relief for Dental Expenses

Most dental treatments are expensive and can prove to be a daunting prospect. It is usually on account of taxes that the bills sport such a large number. Depending on your condition and frequency at the dentist’s, you are eligible for tax relief in certain treatments which will help in reducing your expenses regarding dental treatments.

Treatments for which tax relief is available

There are primarily two types of treatment both of which are derived from occurrence of the problem among the general public. Non-routine treatments, by default, are qualified to be subjected to tax relief. Routine treatments are usually those that are applicable to almost everybody at some point in their lives such as tooth extraction, scaling, filling, repairing and providing artificial teeth or dentures. These treatments do not qualify for tax relief, even in the scenario that a non-routine dental condition is responsible for the requirement of said treatment. However, in case of a larger operation that is cataloged as a non routine treatment and a part of it requires a routine treatment such as extraction, the tax relief is applicable to the primary operation but not to the extraction of the tooth during the course of the treatment. Surgical extractions, as is the case with wisdom teeth, are allowed tax relief as the operation is carried out with dental surgery and may require a hospital.

Tax relief for dental treatments

There are several treatments for which tax relief is allowed. A list of the same can be found as follows.

• Artificial crowns that are fabricated separately and later attached in the mouth using dental implants are usually expensive and can be subjected for tax relief.
• The same goes for veneers and other artificial fillings that are constructed separately and later applied via surgeries or simpler operations.
• Tip replacing is a procedure that involves restoring a large part of the crown that may have decayed or damaged requiring replacement which is made outside the mouth.
• To hold a crown in place, posts are inserted into the nerve canal. This is usually made of gold or fiberglass and qualifies for relief. Gold inlays are an alternative version of a crown and also qualifies for the same if fabricated outside the mouth.
• Orthodontic treatment is the construction and application of braces and also subjected to tax relief.
• Dental treatments that require placing enamel retained bridges or tooth support bridges also qualify for the same. Endodontic treatment which is the filling of the nerve canal (not the teeth) is also applicable for relief.
• Periodontal treatments which involves gums and gum diseases are qualified for relief as are bone grafting and augmentations, debridement and cutterage both of which are parts of root planing.
• Surgically removing impacted teeth such as wisdom teeth require the use of a hospital or via dental surgery also qualifies as non-routine dental treatment.

Claiming non-routine dental treatment

If your dental treatment plan includes any of the treatments as mentioned above, you can claim tax relief for your dental expenses. You would essentially require a Form Med 2 for non-routine dental treatments signed by your dental practitioner in order to claim tax relief on Form Med 1. These forms can be found with your dentist.