Dental treatments for oncology patients – everything you need to know

Cancer is a general name for one of the most prevalent diseases in the world. Data from the Ministry of Health reveals that approximately 30,000 new cancer patients are diagnosed in Israel each year. There are more than 200 different types of cancer, which attack the body in different ways, and each of them requires different handling and treatments. Some patients are forced to make the fight against the disease the center of their lives, while others manage to continue their normal life routine alongside the treatments. What is certain is that everyone is required to deal with situations they have not known before.

In Clalit, we stand by the patients in hard moments they go through and want to help. During the illness and the recovery, patients encounter many questions and need as accessible information as possible in many areas. To make it even a little easier, and to help patients get through the recovery period and the treatments in the best possible way, we have compiled a short, clear guide of comprehensive and detailed information about the oral and dental treatments the patients are entitled to from the state and also from us in Clalit.

Most of the information presented here is included also in a printed brochure that Clalit customers with an oncology diagnosis receive. The detailed information is also found in the "Complete Guide for Oncology Patients" on Clalit website, which you can be found here.

To learn about the process of receiving the refunds you deserve and downloading an Oncology Patient Form for, please continue reading the article to its end.

Dental treatments for an oncology patient before chemotherapy or radiation therapy

Sometimes, patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy must undergo restorative or preservative dental treatments before the process as well. Such patients can receive refunds for the these dental treatments they undergo, starting from the date they were diagnosed with an oncological disease until the day they start chemotherapy or radiations.

Below are the types of treatments for which refunds can be requested:

Preservative treatments including: scale removal, fillings, extractions, Xatments can be received within "Callit Smile" clinics at a 50% discount from the "Callit Smile" price list for the treatments included in the basket.

Alternatively, you can do the treatments privat-ray and more.

Restorative treatments including: dentures and resin crowns (temporary acrylic crowns), not including porcelain crowns.

What is the reimbursement amount and where can I receive the treatment

• All treatments can be received within "Callit Smile" clinics at a 50% discount from the "Callit Smile" price list for the treatments included in the basket.
• Alternatively, you can do the treatments privately and receive a 50% refund according to Clalit's treatment rates.
• If a patient undergoes dental treatments in a public hospital, they are entitled to 50% refund of the actual expenditure and no more than the rate of the Ministry of Health.

To receive the reimbursements, contact the clinic along with a disease summary form, a dental treatment plan, a certificate of approval from a Clalit doctor, and an original receipt or tax invoice.

Dental treatments for patients after chemotherapy or radiation therapy

• This is a preservative or restorative resin treatment, given to an oncology patient after chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
• Preservative treatments including: scale removal, fillings, extractions, X-ray.
• Restorative treatments including: dentures and resin crowns (temporary acrylic crowns), not including porcelain crowns.

What is the reimbursement amount and where can I receive the treatment?

• All treatments can be received within "Callit Smile" clinics at a 100% refund for the treatments included in the basket (treatments that are not included in the basket will be provided for a fee).
• Alternatively, you can do the treatments privately and receive a 100% refund according to Clalit's treatment rates.
• If a patient undergoes dental treatments in a public hospital, they are entitled to a refund of the actual expenditure but no more than the rate of the Ministry of Health.

Dental treatments and refunds before treatment with Bisphosphonates or Denosumab

Preventive, conservative and restorative dental treatments (preliminary treatment only) will be given to oncology patients before starting treatment with bisphosphonates or denosumab due to multiple myeloma or due to bone metastases.

All treatments can be received within "Callit Smile" clinics at a 50% discount from the "Callit Smile" price list for the treatments included in the basket. Alternatively, you can do the treatments privately and receive a 50% refund according to Clalit's treatment rates.

If a patient undergoes dental treatments in one of Clalit's hospitals or in a public hospital, they are entitled to 50% refund of the actual expenditure and no more than the rate of the Ministry of Health.

How do I apply for a reimbursement?

To receive the reimbursements, contact the clinic along with a disease summary form, dental treatment plan, an oncologist's certificate referring to the dental treatment, a national dental inspector's certificate in coordination with the basket supervisor in the district, and an original receipt or tax invoice.

Oncology Patient Form

In order to receive the reimbursements you are entitled to, it is important to contact your oncologist even before starting the dental treatment and ask them to fill in the details in the Clalit Smile Oncology Patient Form – click here to download.

Once you arrive at the clinic, hand in the completed form to the responsible body. After the dentist performs a clinical examination and X-ray (these are done at the patient's expense until a decision is made as to whether there is eligibility for the service according to the guidelines of the Services Basket; if you are found eligible, the X-ray and examination costs will be refunded to you) they will build a recommended treatment plan for you.

The treatment plan will be submitted for an eligibility check at the clinic's office according to the rules established in the Services Basket. For dental treatments included in the Services Basket, patients will not be charged at all. For dental treatments that are not included in the health basket, the patients will be charged according to the Clalit Smile rate (we recommend contacting the clinic office in order to get the full rates information).

To the oncology services in the Services Basket system

To dental, oral and maxillofacial health services in the Services Basket system

I want more information

In Clalit Smile and in Clalit in general, we do our best to stand by the oncology patients in the treatment and management of the disease. If you feel you have not yet received a satisfactory answer, please inform us by email, and we will get back to you soon as we can: [email protected]

You can also contact the Clalit information center at *2700