Get free braces in South Africa in 2025: Do government hospitals offer them?
Orthodontic treatment can be expensive, making it difficult for many families to access the care they need. With the growing demand for affordable dental solutions, many South Africans are looking into public healthcare options, especially government hospitals. If you are wondering how to get free braces in South Africa in 2025, you are not alone.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- How to get free braces in South Africa in 2025
- Types of dental braces
- Which medical aid covers braces in South Africa?
- How to apply for free braces?
- How can you get braces if you have no money?
- Do government hospitals do braces in South Africa for free?
- What age is braces free until in South Africa?
- Are there free braces for low-income families?
- How much are braces in South Africa without medical aid?
- Which hospitals offer free braces in South Africa?
- Which government hospitals do braces in South Africa?
- Where can you get donated braces in South Africa?
- Does medic aid cover braces in in South Africa?
- How much are braces in South Africa with medical aid?
- Where is the cheapest place in the world to get braces?
Key takeaways
- Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that treats irregularities of the jaws and teeth. It includes attaching braces or aligners to teeth to align the jaws and improve the bite.
- Some government hospitals in South Africa offer free or low-cost braces through public health services, especially for children and teens with severe dental issues.
- Waiting periods can be long in public hospitals due to high demand and limited resources, so early application is crucial.
How to get free braces in South Africa in 2025
Health insurance has helped many South Africans get braces. Most of these medical aid insurance companies recommend hospitals that may accept your insurance coverage. Therefore, always inquire from the insurer about the hospitals you should visit.
Below are five Medicare aid insurance companies that can help you get free braces or at a relatively lower price.
1. Bonitas
Source: UGC
- Address: Mathomo Mall, Main St, Marshalltown, Johannesburg, 2001
- Call: 0860002108
- WhatsApp: 0600702491
- Email: queries@bonitas.co.za
People looking for cheap braces in Johannesburg can find out how the Bonitas medical aid plans work. The company has a network of doctors who offer premium healthcare services, resulting in fewer co-payments.
Bonitas' income-based medical aid utilizes the Denis dental protocols to cover the cost of orthodontic treatments.
2. Discovery Health
Source: UGC
- Address: 1 Discovery Pl, Sandhurst, Sandton, 2196
- Call: 0860 999 911 (+27 11 541 1222)
- Email: healthinfo@discovery.co.za
If you want to apply for free braces in South Africa, Discovery Health should be one of your go-to places. It is one of the major health insurance companies in South Africa. The company takes care of orthodontic benefits from an individual's savings account. As a result, South Africans can get complete dental treatment as part of their health insurance plan.
3. Fedhealth
Source: UGC
- Address: 9 Long Street, Shop No. 6, Corner Long and Waterkant Street, Cape Town
- Call: 0860 002 153
- Email: information@medicalschemes.com
South Africa's Fedhealth medical aid plans should be one of your health insurance considerations for free braces in Cape Town. The company pays for the cost incurred on pre-authorized orthodontic treatment. The money is sourced from the patient's out-of-hospital benefits or financial savings.
4. Momentum Health
Source: UGC
- Address: 235 Reid Street, Westdene, Bloemfontein, 9301
- Call: 051 285 0140
- Email: myriad@momentum.co.za
The Momentum Health medical scheme enables South Africans to sign up for free braces in South Africa. In addition, the insurance company comes in handy in paying for dental treatments via the individual's dental benefits, which are part of the Health Insurance plan.
5. Medshield
Source: UGC
- Address: 192 Bram Fischer Dr, Ferndale, Randburg, 2195
- Call: 086 000 2120 (+27 10 597 4701)
- Fax: +27 10 597 4706
- Email: member@medshield.co.za
- SMS: Send the name “MEDSHIELD” TO 33023
The Medshield medical scheme is among health insurance companies offering free braces to South Africans. The company pays for part of the costs from your daily benefits upon pre-authorization.
Types of dental braces
Several different types of dental braces may be recommended to improve the alignment of teeth. Each type is associated with a unique set of advantages and disadvantages. These types are:
- Traditional metal - These involve brackets and wires made out of metal. They are attached to an individual's teeth and allow altering as necessary.
- Ceramic - They are similar to metallic ones. However, unlike the traditional ones, these are made of ceramic material. The material blends into the teeth's natural color, making them less noticeable.
- Lingual - They are similar to traditional metal but are attached to the inside rather than the outside. This makes them not easily seen from the outside.
- Invisalign - These are the most distinct braces. Unlike all the others, they neither involve brackets nor wires but rather a series of custom-made, clear plastic aligners worn over teeth.
Which medical aid covers braces in South Africa?
Bonitas, Discovery Health, Fedhealth, Momentum Health, and Medshield medical aid schemes pay part or the entire orthodontic treatment cost for braces. It all depends on the company you take your insurance from and the terms and conditions of the plan you choose.
How to apply for free braces?
Accessing free braces in South Africa can be challenging, as government hospitals typically do not offer orthodontic treatments like braces free of charge. However, several medical aid schemes, such as Bonitas, Discovery Health, Fedhealth, Momentum Health, and Medshield, provide coverage for orthodontic treatments.
How can you get braces if you have no money?
A reputable health insurance company and a good policy can help you get free braces in South Africa.
Do government hospitals do braces in South Africa for free?
Government hospitals do not offer braces for free. Children and adults can get braces at government hospitals with the help of health insurance plans that cover part of the cost.
What age is braces free until in South Africa?
The under-18s can use their guardian's/parents' medical insurance that covers orthodontic treatment. Therefore, guardians/parents can get medical covers for free braces for students or children. Nonetheless, these medical aid plans only pay part of the cost.
Are there free braces for low-income families?
Guardians/parents from low-income families can get affordable health insurance plans to pay part or all costs of braces care for their children.
How much are braces in South Africa without medical aid?
They can cost between R3,000 and R55,000, depending on the dentist or orthodontist, the type of braces, the underlying medical conditions, the frequency of treatment, and other factors.
Which hospitals offer free braces in South Africa?
Consult with your medical aid insurance company regarding hospitals that offer free braces in South Africa. The company should inform you about hospitals that allow people to use its medical insurance plans for braces and other orthodontic treatment services.
Which government hospitals do braces in South Africa?
Most government dental clinics in South Africa do braces for people with medical insurance covering orthodontic treatment and those who can pay the total cost without insurance.
Where can you get donated braces in South Africa?
You can donate or apply for free braces in South Africa to Operation Smile South Africa or the Steps Clubfoot Care Programme.
Does medic aid cover braces in in South Africa?
Most medical aid schemes in South Africa cover part or all of the orthodontics costs, but how they pay the benefits differs with each scheme.
How much are braces in South Africa with medical aid?
On average, braces can cost between R25,000 to R55,000, and while most medical aids do contribute, they rarely cover the full amount.
Where is the cheapest place in the world to get braces?
The cheapest places to get braces in the world include countries like India, Mexico, and Thailand, where costs range from $500 to $3,000. These countries offer quality orthodontic care at a fraction of the price compared to Western nations, making them popular for dental tourism.
Orthodontic treatment might seem expensive, but many can now afford it, thanks to health insurance plans. People can now get free braces in South Africa in 2025 or access them at a lower cost through health insurance.
DISCLAIMER: This article is not sponsored by any third party. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!
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