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Sophie Christian

Cost of living: 9 reasons you can get free NHS dental treatment

Going to the dentist isn't something a lot of us enjoy. It can be an expensive trip if your dentist recommends more complex work to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

However, there are a few ways you can access free NHS dental treatment, which could make going to the dentist less of a worry. You should always check with your dentist whether your treatment is private or NHS, how much it is going to cost and if you will be able to get some or all of it free of charge.

If you're entitled to free NHS treatment and the treatment you receive is a mixture of NHS and private, you will still have to pay for the private treatment. In an effort to save you time, here's a guide to who is entitled to free NHS treatment, according to the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA).

Read more: Leeds patients mistaking deadly infection for Covid face huge delays for treatment

Who can receive free NHS dental treatment

1. If you are a certain age

You’re entitled to free NHS dental treatment if, when your treatment starts, you’re under 18 or under 19 and in full-time education.

2. If you're on contribution-based benefits

If you’re receiving contribution-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance, you are not automatically entitled to free NHS dental treatment. However, you could apply for help through the NHS Low Income Scheme, the NHSBSA said.

3. If you're on income-based benefits

You are automatically entitled to free NHS dental treatment if you get Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, or Income-related Employment and Support Allowance.

If you’re receiving one of these benefits, your partner and any dependent young people under 20 are also entitled to free treatment.

4. If you receive Pension Credit

You’re entitled to free NHS dental treatment if you or your partner gets either:

  • Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
  • Pension Credit Guarantee Credit with Savings Credit

If you get Pension Credit Savings Credit on its own, you are not automatically entitled to free NHS dental treatment. However, you can apply for help through the NHS Low Income Scheme.

5. If you're on Universal Credit

If you’re getting Universal Credit, your entitlement to free NHS dental treatment depends on your earnings for the most recent assessment period. You’re entitled if your earnings during that period were £435 or less; or £935 or less if your Universal Credit includes an element for a child or limited capability for work.

The most recent assessment period means the four weeks that ended immediately before the date you claimed free NHS dental treatment.

If you claim Universal Credit as a couple, the earnings limit applies to the joint income of you and your partner," the website adds.

6. If you're a pregnant woman

A pregnant woman (PA)

You can access free NHS dental treatment if, at the time you are accepted for your course of treatment, you are pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months.

To prove your entitlement, you can use a:

  • MatB1 certificate
  • notification of birth form
  • valid maternity exemption certificate

  • birth certificate
  • stillbirth certificate

7. If you receive tax credits from HMRC

You can get free NHS dental treatment if your annual family income used to work out your tax credits is £15,276 or less and you receive either:

  • Child Tax Credit
  • Working Tax Credit including a disability element
  • Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit paid together

If you meet these conditions, you will automatically receive an NHS tax credit exemption certificate.

8. If you're deemed to be on a low income (including students and pensioners)

You’re entitled to free NHS dental treatment if you have applied to the NHS Low Income Scheme and received an HC2 certificate for full help with health costs.

If you have applied to the NHS Low Income Scheme and received an HC3 certificate for limited help with health costs, you could be entitled to help with the cost of your NHS dental treatment. Your certificate informs you how much you have to pay towards your charges.

9. If you are on the War Pension Scheme or Armed Forces Compensation Scheme

You can claim money back for dental treatment, NHS travel costs, sight tests, glasses or contact lenses if you receive War Pension Scheme or Armed Forces Compensation Scheme payments and the treatment is for your accepted disability.

You can write to:

The Treatment Group
Veterans UK
Norcross
Blackpool
FY5 3WP

You can also phone Veterans UK on 0808 1914218.

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