Children's public dental programme (Plan de Atención Dental Infantil)

Key rules

• Age band: Each region sets its own exact age band, so check it before you plan.
• Health card: Your child needs their own health card, which requires registration at the town hall.
• Braces: Braces and cosmetic treatment are usually not covered.
• Newly arrived children: Children under 18 can join once registered and holding a health card, whatever their administrative status.

Who qualifies

Children in a set age range get free check-ups and basic dental treatment through the regional programme, usually called PADI. Coverage and age limits vary by region. The programme generally covers children from 6 to 15 years old, but each region sets its own exact band. A few regions start at age 0, and the Basque Country can go up to 16. Some regions also add groups such as people with disabilities. Regions also decide which birth years are phased in first, so check your child's birth year with your region's health service.

Your child must also:

• live in the region,
• be registered in the public health system with their own health card (tarjeta sanitaria), and
• fall inside your region's age band.

If you have just arrived

A new arrival can join. Register your child at the town hall (empadronamiento), then get the health card. Children under 18 have the right to public healthcare whatever their administrative status. Some regions have their own rules on how long you must be registered, so ask your health centre.

What is covered

Expect these to be free:

• check-ups and oral health education
• fluoride
• sealants on permanent molars
• fillings
• treatment of permanent teeth, such as pulp treatment
• extractions
• treatment of injuries and infections

What is usually not covered

• Braces (orthodontics).
• Cosmetic treatment.
• Some prosthetics.

Cleaning and treatment of baby teeth are limited, and the rules differ by region. Ask your health centre what applies to your child's baby teeth before you book.

How to enrol

The steps are in the process below. In short, you register with the town hall, get the health card, choose a participating dentist and book directly with the clinic. Your health centre or regional health service can give you the list of dentists.

Steps to enrol your child in the public dental programme

• Register at the town hall (padrón) and get your child's health card (tarjeta sanitaria): Before you start; you need the card for every later step

• Check that your child's age falls inside your region's age band, generally 6 to 15: Before choosing a dentist, because each region sets its own exact band

• Get the list of participating dentists from your regional health service website or your health centre: After you have the health card

• Choose a dentist, registering the choice online or at the health centre where your region asks for it: Once you have the list; some regions need no separate enrolment

• Book the appointment directly with the clinic and bring the health card and your ID: After choosing the dentist

• Bring the dental voucher (cheque-dentista) to the clinic if your region uses one, such as Madrid or Valencia: At the appointment; covered treatments are free

• Ask your health centre about basic public dental care, private insurance or a clinic payment plan: If your child is outside the age band or your dentist is outside the programme; treatment there is normally not reimbursed

Frequently asked questions

Does the children's dental programme cover braces?

No, braces (orthodontics) are normally not covered by the children's dental programme. Cosmetic treatments and some prosthetics are usually excluded too. If your child needs braces, expect to pay a private dentist.

Does the programme cover baby teeth?

Baby teeth are only partly covered, and this varies by region. Cleaning and treatment of baby teeth are limited in many places. Permanent teeth get the fullest cover, including fillings, sealants of the molars, pulp treatment and extractions.

Can my child join if we have just arrived in Spain?

Yes, your child can join once registered at the town hall (empadronamiento) and holding a health card (tarjeta sanitaria).

Which check-ups and preventive care does my child get for free?

Free care includes check-ups, oral health education, fluoride application and sealants on permanent molars. Treatment of trauma and infections is also covered. Some regions also include children from age 0 or add groups such as children with disabilities.