If you normally pay for NHS dental treatment, there will be three standard charges. The amount you pay will depend on the treatment you need to keep your teeth and gums healthy. You will pay one charge even if you need to visit more than once to complete a course of treatment. Our charges for NHS dental treatment follow the NHS pricing which came into effect on 1st April 2006.


You will pay one of the following three charges:

£15.90 - This charge will include an examination, diagnosis and preventive care. If necessary, this will include X-rays, scale and polish, and planning for further treatment.

Urgent and out-of-hours care will also cost £15.90.

OR
£43.60 - This charge includes all necessary treatment covered by the £15.90 charge PLUS additional treatment such as fillings, root canal treatment or extractions.

OR
£194 -This charge includes all necessary treatment covered by the £15.90 and £43.60 charges PLUS more complex procedures such as crowns, dentures or bridges.

If you need more treatment at the same charge level (e.g an additional filling) within two months of seeing your dentist, this will be free of charge.

Note: you should ask your dentist how much your individual treatment plan will cost. The dental practice may ask you to pay before beginning your treatment.


Exemption from NHS dental charges
You will continue to receive free services from your NHS dentist if:

-when the treatment starts you are:

• aged under 18
• aged 18 in full-time education
• pregnant, or have had a baby in the 12 months before treatment starts
• an NHS in-patient and the treatment is carried out by the hospital dentist
• an NHS Hospital Dental Service out-patient*

* There may be a charge for dentures and bridges.

- when the treatment starts or when the charge is made:

• you are getting, or your partner gets Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
• you are entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate
• you are named on a valid HC2 certificate

Your dentist will ask for evidence that you are entitled to free NHS dental treatment.

If you are named on a valid HC3 certificate you may be eligible for partial help with dental costs.

Use form HC1 to claim for full (HC2) or partial (HC3) help with NHS dental costs. HC1 forms are available from your Jobcentre Plus office or by calling 0845 8501166 or 08701 555 455.

The Benefit Enquiry Line is a telephone advice line offering general confidential information to people with disabilities, carers and representatives, about benefits that are available. You can ring the Benefit Enquiry line on 0800 882200.

For further information about credits call the Tax Credit helpline on 0845 300 3900 during working hours.

More information on help with NHS charges is available from the Department of Health website.

If you have already paid your dentist and think you are entitled to a refund, ask your local Social Security office for form HC5 'Refund Claim Form'. Your dentist might have one too. The form tells you what to do. You will need to send a receipt to show that you have paid for NHS treatment and claims must be received within three months of paying for the health cost. Your dentist will not be able to give you a refund directly.

If you have any queries about completing these forms, call the Prescription Pricing Authority's Health Benefits Division Customer Enquiry line on 0191 203 5555, or write to them at Bridge House, 152 Pilgrim Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 6SN.

For more information, download the HC11 leaflet Are You Entitled To Help with Health Costs from the Department of Health website. The leaflet is also available from main post offices.


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