Help with NHS dental costs

You do not have to pay for NHS dental treatment if, when treatment starts, you are:

• Aged under 18
• Under 19 and receiving full-time education
• Pregnant or have had a baby in the previous 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 also do not have to pay if, when the treatment starts, you are receiving:

• Income Support
• Income-related Employemnt and Support Allowance
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
• Pension Credit guarantee credit

Or:

• You are named on a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate or you are entitled to an NHS tax credit exemption certificate
• You are named on a valid HC2 certificate

Find out more about the NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS).

Partial help

If your name is on a valid HC3 certificate, you may not have to pay for all your treatment. Checks are made on free and reduced cost treatment claims. If you say you have the right to free treatment when you do not, you may incur a penalty charge.

Please Note

You will not be exempt from paying if you receive: Incapacity Benefit, contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance, contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Council Tax Benefit, Housing Benefit or Pensions Credit savings credit, when paid on their own.

Medical conditions do not exempt patients from payment for dental treatment.

You will be asked to show your dentist written proof that you do not have to pay for all or part of your NHS treatment. You will also be asked to sign a form to confirm that you do not have to pay.