Over a few years my experience is that I have quoted my PPS number making the appointment, filled in the form when I arrive and then don't get charged if it is just a cleaning or pay the reduced fee for fillings etc. However a lot of friends (going to various different dentists) have complained that they are sent to the oral hygienist for the cleaning and told that it is a deep clean and that they have to pay the full fee because this is a better clean than the one covered by the PRSI. My last cleaning was with the oral hygienist and I was charged a reduced fee. So basically I think all dental practices operate the scheme differently but there is very few willing to give the 'free clean' anymore. To be honest I didn't notice any difference between the 'free clean' I used to get and the 'deep clean' I supposedly got the last time. By the way the reduced fee was €40, full fee was €70 but I have heard of people being charged up to €120 for the 'deep clean'.