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Israeli dental care is partially covered: ages 0-18 are fully subsidized via kupa (Reform 2010), adults pay private. Major chains: kupot operate clinics (Maccabi Dental, Clalit), private chains include Smile Dental and Sela. Common procedures: nikui (cleaning), m'lui (filling), shchen (canine extraction), shoresh (root canal), kotza (crown), shtilim (implants). Cost ranges: cleaning ~150-300 NIS, filling ~300-500, crown ~2000-4000, implant ~6000-12000.
Cultural note, Adult dental insurance in Israel is mostly supplemental (bituach mashlim), Maccabi Zahav and similar tiers. Israelis often defer dental work or fly to Hungary/Turkey for major procedures (cheaper). For acute pain, kupa-affiliated dentists offer same-day urgent slots. The vocabulary mixes Hebrew (rofe shinayim) with Arabic loanwords for tooth pain ("ze ke\'ev k\'tzat", it hurts a bit). Children 13 and under get full coverage at chosen kupa dentist.
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Conversation Vocabulary
An Oleh's First Dental Visit
An oleh with a chipped tooth visits a Maccabi Dental clinic.