NHS dentistry

NHS dentistry in the United Kingdom is intended to ensure that dental treatment is available to the whole population. However, unlike medical care, charges are made to most people.

Exemption from Charges

• children under 18,
• people under 19 and in full-time education,
• people who get some Means-tested benefits,
• women who are pregnant or have had a baby in the previous 12 months and have a valid maternity exemption certificate (MatEx) when they start a course of treatment
• People in custody
• people who have a certificate (HC2) entitling them to help under the NHS Low Income Scheme. An HC3 certificate gives some help but not exemption from charges. the effect is that a patient is only asked to pay three times the amount their income exceeds the free treatment level. Any charges paid within three weeks are added together and count as one charge .

Stopping bleeding, repairs to dentures, and the cost of calling a dentist out to see you or to his surgery in an emergency are free for everyone.