Free root canals brought under Ayushman Bharat

[Admin IMA Hub]

The Karnataka government has approved free root canal treatment (RCT) under the Ayushman Bharat–Arogya Karnataka (AB PMJAY–CM’s ArK) scheme to improve access to affordable dental care.

Eligible beneficiaries can now get RCT done free of cost at government and empanelled dental hospitals. This move aims to reduce unnecessary tooth extractions, which many patients choose due to high costs and lack of awareness.

The scheme covers both anterior and posterior root canal treatments under dental and oral-maxillofacial specialties. The government has initially capped the rollout at 50,000 cases or ₹5 crore.

Treatment costs are standardized at:

₹1,360 for anterior RCT
₹2,040 for posterior RCT

Overall, the initiative focuses on tooth preservation, improved oral health, and reducing avoidable extractions.