Dental Services

(asked on 17th April 2018) - View Source

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discounted rates for dental treatment are available for people on the basis of (a) protected characteristics, (b) pregnancy and (c) low income.


Answered by
Steve Brine Portrait
Steve Brine
This question was answered on 23rd April 2018

Exemptions to National Health Service dental charges ensure that cost is not a barrier to accessing NHS dental treatement for the most vulnerable.

Protected characteristics include age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation. Not all individuals with protected characteristics are automatically entitled to help with health costs for NHS dental treatment as a result of their protected characteristics alone. However individuals with protected characteristics may qualify for help with health for other reasons.

People who are aged under 18, under 19 in full time education and for those who are pregnant or have had a baby in the previous 12 months are exempt from NHS dental patient charges.

Individuals who are on low incomes and are claiming Income Support, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, Universal Credit are also exempt from dental charges.

The NHS Low Income Scheme may also provide full or partial help with the cost of treatment for those who do not qualify for free NHS dental treatments but have a low income.

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