Some people living in England may qualify for free NHS dental appointments and treatments
A trip to the dentist rarely tops anyone’s list of favourite outings. And with standard check-ups typically costing £27.40, it’s hardly shocking that plenty of people give them a miss.
Yet you might be surprised to learn that certain people across England could be entitled to free dental appointments and care through the NHS. This particularly benefits those within a specific age bracket and anyone receiving various key benefits administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Here, the Mirror has examined who qualifies for this and what action you should take. If you’ve already spent money on NHS dental work but then find you’re entitled to free treatment, you might also be in line for a reimbursement.
Who’s entitled to free NHS dental appointments in England?
The NHS states there are five categories of people who automatically receive free NHS dental care. These specifically encompass the following:
- You’ve had a stillbirth in the past 12 months
- You’re getting treatment in an NHS hospital from a hospital dentist (but you may still need to pay for dentures or bridges)
- You receive War Pension Scheme payments, or Armed Forces Compensation Scheme payments and the treatment is for your accepted disability
- You’re aged under 18, or under 19 and in full-time education
- You’re pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months
Furthermore, you could qualify if either you or your partner receives one of six particular benefits. Dependants aged under 20 may also benefit, assuming you’re claiming:
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit with Savings Credit
- Universal Credit – but only if your income is below a certain amount
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Bear in mind that these regulations apply only to NHS dental treatments. Should you opt for private treatment, you’ll foot the bill yourself.
Typically, you’ll also be required to furnish evidence of your entitlement to free NHS care, although this might vary depending on your exemption grounds.
Examples of proof approved by the NHS include:
- A valid maternity exemption certificate
- A maternity certificate (MatB1)
- A notification of birth form, or your baby’s birth certificate
- A stillbirth certificate
- A valid HC2 certificate – available for people on a low income
- Your birth certificate
Nonetheless, official NHS advice adds: “If you receive War Pension Scheme or Armed Forces Compensation Scheme payments and get free dental treatment, you’ll usually need to pay for it yourself first and claim the money back from Veterans UK.”
How do I verify my eligibility?
If you think you might be entitled to free NHS dental treatment, head to the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) website to check. The platform provides a free eligibility checker, which generally takes around three minutes to work through.
Should you qualify, it will walk you through what to do next to access support. Those who suspect they’ve been incorrectly charged for NHS dental appointments could be due a refund.
What’s the NHS Low Income Scheme about?
Even if free dental care isn’t available to you, financial assistance might still be available via the NHS Low Income Scheme. This programme doesn’t just cover dentistry – it extends to other vital costs, including prescriptions, eye examinations, wigs, and travel expenses related to medical treatment.
The amount you can claim hinges primarily on your weekly earnings, savings, and necessary outgoings when you submit your application. Online applications are restricted to those with capital or savings below £6,000, and you must additionally meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Receiving state benefits
- Living in a care home
- A pensioner
- A student
- Earning a wage
Advice from the NHSBSA adds: “If the amount you have left is low, you may be able to get help through the NHS Low Income Scheme. Any help you’re entitled to is also available to your partner, if you have one.
“If you have already paid for treatment, you can apply for a refund at the same time as you apply for the scheme. We will normally assess your application within 18 working days from the date we get your form.”
For more information on the help available, head to the NHSBSA website here.
