Bruxism and access to dental treatment
What is bruxism?
Bruxism is the involuntary clenching, grinding and gnashing of the teeth. DVA defines Bruxism as “a disorder of jaw muscle activity characterised by repetitive, involuntary clenching or grinding of the teeth or by bracing and thrusting of the mandible [lower jaw], occurring during wakefulness or sleep”. It is frequently caused by stress or anxiety.
DVA regards Bruxism as a medical condition which you may be able to have approved as an accepted service-related condition.
You may be able to receive treatment of Bruxism via your DVA Veteran Card – All Conditions or, if you have Bruxism as an accepted condition, via your DVA Veteran Card – Specific Conditions.
In compliance with international convention, DVA classifies Bruxism as a mental health condition. This means that DVA funded treatment for Bruxism is mental health focused and provided by a mental health practitioner such as a Psychologist or Psychiatrist. See Mental Health Support for information and services that you can access to assist with your mental health.
A consequence of your bruxism may include cracked, broken or worn teeth. These dental conditions are caused by the excessive or long term grinding of the teeth and jaw.
Back to topAccess to the DVA dental program
A diagnosis or accepted condition of Bruxism does not automatically entitle you to dental treatment. Access varies depending on whether you are a Veteran Card – All Conditions holder or Veteran Card – Specific Conditions holder.
Veteran Card – All Conditions holders
Your card type covers all conditions including the dental consequences of bruxism. Some restrictions may apply and these are described in the section below.
Veteran Card – Specific Conditions holders
Your card only allows you to receive treatment for your accepted conditions. Access to dental treatment depends on you having an accepted dental condition. You are not entitled to treatment of cracked, broken or worn teeth – such as fillings, crowns and orthodontic treatment - on the basis of an accepted condition of Bruxism.
If you have an accepted condition of bruxism on your Veteran Card - Specific Conditions, you may be eligible for provision of a mouth guard (occlusal splint). You should seek advice from your medical practitioner regarding the need for a mouth guard.
What do I need to do to access dental treatment for the consequences of Bruxism on my Veteran Card – Specific Conditions?
DVA recognises that Bruxism may contribute to the onset of the below dental conditions:
- Dental attrition (tooth wear)
- Temporomandibular disorder (operational, peacekeeping, hazardous and British nuclear test service only)
Bruxism may also be associated with cracked teeth (non-SOP condition).
If you believe that you have symptoms of the above disorders due to Bruxism, you should seek advice from your medical practitioner. If your medical practitioner diagnoses you with one or more of the above conditions, you may be able to place a claim for the condition to be recognised by DVA as service-related and added to your Veteran Card – Specific Conditions.
This will entitle you to treatment of these conditions, within the restrictions outlined below.
Allied Veteran
If you are an allied veteran, you are eligible for treatment of war caused disabilities accepted by your country of enlistment.
Back to topWhat restrictions apply?
Tooth Wear:
The European Consensus Statement on the Management of Severe Tooth Wear (2017) recommends a conservative, minimally invasive approach to the management of Tooth Wear. Following this, DVA limits treatment of Tooth Wear to treatment for the alleviation of severe tooth pain, sensitivity or restoration of tooth function where the cause is from Tooth Wear.
DVA will not provide or reimburse treatment covering lost or missing teeth, fractured teeth, fractured restorations, restoration of dental caries or periodontal management based on an accepted condition of Tooth Wear.
The Biennial Monetary Limit (BML) and restrictions on funding:
The amount of treatment that can be funded by DVA for Veteran Card holders is restricted by the Biennial Monetary Limit (BML).
The BML:
- is a legislatively imposed financial limit that applies to all DVA clients except where an exemption exists.
- limits the amount of funding that DVA will approve for a small number of high cost items such as crowns and bridges.
- is a biennial limit that operates on a two yearly basis and is not cumulative, so any portion not expended during the two year period cannot be used in subsequent years.
- is waived for DVA clients who meet the following criteria:
- are ex-POW
- have a specific dental condition as an accepted condition
- have cancer affecting the mouth
- increases biennially by a small amount with indexation. Your Dentist will be able to advise you what the current BML is.
For information on restrictions that may apply under DVA’s dental implant policy, see Dental Implants for the Veteran Community
The table below describes the eligibility criteria and restrictions regarding the funding of dental treatment for clients with Bruxism.
| Card holder type and accepted conditions | Conditions covered and dental policies that apply |
|---|---|
| Veteran Card – All Conditions holder – Bruxism, but no accepted dental conditions |
|
| Veteran Card – All Conditions holder – Bruxism and accepted dental conditions |
|
| Veteran Card – Specific Conditions holder – Bruxism, but no accepted dental conditions |
|
| Veteran Card – Specific Conditions holder – Bruxism and accepted dental conditions |
|
Contact us
DVA General Enquiries
Phone: 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372)
Open Arms Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling
A range of counselling services are available to veterans and their families through Open Arms.
Phone: 1800 011 046
Email: OPENARMS.CLIENTASSIST@dva.gov.au
Open Arms Website: www.openarms.gov.au
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