Are you claiming free dental treatment?
Don’t assume you’re entitled.
If you claim when you’re not entitled, even by mistake,
you could face a penalty charge of £100 plus the cost of your treatment.
Check before you tick.
Information from the NHS.
You may be entitled to free dental treatment
because of your age and circumstances or if you are on certain benefits.
We tell you more about this now.
You’re entitled to free dental treatment if,
when the treatment starts, you are:
Under 18
Under 19 and in full-time education
Pregnant or have given birth in the last 12 months
Staying in an NHS hospital
and your treatment is carried out by the hospital dentist
An NHS Hospital Dental Service outpatient
(however, you may have to pay for your dentures or bridges).
You’re also entitled to free dental treatment if,
when the treatment starts, you are named on a claim for:
Income Support
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
Universal Credit and for the last assessment period
there were no earnings or earnings within the allowed limit
A valid NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate
A valid HC2 Certificate
You’re not entitled to free dental treatment if,
when the treatment starts, you are named on a claim for:
Incapacity Benefit
Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance
Contribution-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Disability Living Allowance
Council Tax Benefit
Housing Benefit
Pension Credit Savings Credit, when paid on their own
Medical conditions
If you’re entitled to free dental treatment,
you’ll be asked to show written proof
that you don’t have to pay for your treatment.
You’ll also be asked to sign a form.
Checks are made on free treatment claims.
If you claim when you’re not entitled, even by mistake,
you could face a penalty charge of £100 plus the cost of your treatment.
That’s why it’s important you know your entitlement
before you visit the dentist.
If you have applied to the NHS Low Income Scheme
and have been issued with a HC3 certificate,
you may be able to get help with the cost of your dental treatment.
You can apply for the NHS Low Income Scheme
if your savings, investments or property
(not including where you live) are no more than £16,000,
or no more than £23,250 if you permanently live in a care home.
Find out how to apply at:
The cost for your dental treatment depends on what you need to have done
to keep your mouth, teeth and gums healthy.
If you’re not exempt from charges,
you will only ever be asked to pay one charge
for each complete course of treatment,
even if you need to visit your dentist more than once to finish it.
It will either be Band 1, Band 2 or Band 3:
This covers an examination, diagnosis (e.g. X-rays),
advice on how to prevent future problems,
a scale and polish if needed,
and application of fluoride varnish or fissure sealant.
Emergency treatment
(when you need to see a dentist immediately)
also costs £22.70.
This covers everything listed in Band 1 above,
plus any further treatment such as fillings, root canal work
or if your dentist needs to take out one or more of your teeth.
This covers everything listed in Bands 1 and 2 above,
plus crowns, dentures and bridges.
If you know you’re not entitled to free dental treatment, don’t claim.
The dental team will tell you how much you need to pay.
If you claim, even by mistake,
you could face a penalty charge of £100 plus the cost of your treatment.
If you’re not sure whether you’re entitled to free dental treatment
you should pay the charges and ask for the NHS receipt form FP64,
or a receipt that shows the total NHS charge and the date you paid.
If you find out later
that you’re entitled to free or reduced cost treatment,
you can apply for a refund for charges that were part of your NHS treatment.
You must make your refund claim within three months of paying.
Ask your dentist for a HC5(D) refund form
or to download and print the form visit:
You can also use the NHS eligibility checker online
to find out what help you could get
with the cost of your dental treatment and other NHS charges.
Visit:
Make sure you take your proof of entitlement
along to your appointment and tick the right box on the dental form.