Faster claiming for dental attrition when bruxism is involved
Since 2007, DVA has introduced policies that allow simpler processing of claims for certain medical conditions where exposures in ADF service, a certain type of ADF service or, in some cases, a previously accepted medical condition are known to meet causal factors. This occurs through policies known as ‘streamlining’ or ‘straight through processing’.
Where a veteran has a diagnosed condition and meets the relevant criteria for application of the policies, usually no further evidence is required to establish a connection between the condition and military service.
As part of this work, DVA has recently added ‘dental attrition’ arising from bruxism to the list of conditions subject to streamlining. This means that where a veteran has had bruxism accepted as service-related, a claim for dental attrition will be subject to faster processing.
Bruxism is a medical condition that involves excessive tooth grinding or jaw clenching. It can give rise to a separate condition – dental attrition – which involves damage from tooth-to-tooth contact.
There are now more than 80 medical conditions subject to these policies, and this change will allow for quicker access to compensation and treatment for dental attrition for eligible veterans who have bruxism caused by service.