Ibrahim Gardner
Whether or not a full-time student has to pay for dental care depends on a number of factors, including their age, location, income, and whether they are receiving certain benefits. In England, full-time students under the age of 19 are entitled to free dental care, as are those in Scotland and Wales. In Northern Ireland, dental care is free for those under 18 and those who are 18 and in full-time education. For older students, there are still some ways to access free or low-cost dental care, such as through government schemes for low-income individuals or students receiving certain benefits. Additionally, some hospitals and dental schools offer free or low-cost treatment, and students from the EU who arrived in the UK pre-2021 can access free healthcare with settled or pre-settled status.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dental care free for full-time students | If under 18, or under 19 and in full-time education |
| Dental care free for full-time students in Scotland and Wales | Yes |
| Dental care free for full-time students in Northern Ireland | No |
| Dental care free for full-time students in England | If under 19 |
| Dental care cost for students in England | £26.80 for basic check-up, X-rays, and emergency care |
| Dental care cost for students in England | £73.50 for fillings, extractions, and root canal work |
| Dental care cost for students in England | £319.10 for capping teeth, bridges, and veneers |
| NHS dental treatment cost | £9.65 per item |
| NHS prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) cost | £31.25 for 3 months, £111.60 for 12 months |
| Eye test cost | £20-£25 |
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What You'll Learn
Students under 19 in full-time education get free NHS treatment
Dental care is not free on the NHS for most people nowadays. However, certain groups of people are exempt from paying for NHS dental treatment. Students under 19 in full-time education get free NHS treatment. This will benefit a small number of students in their first year at university.
In England, the dentist is free on the NHS for anyone under 18 or anyone who is 19 and in full-time education. This means that in your first or second year of university, if you are between 18 and 19, you will be able to get free treatment. However, once you are 20 or older, you will not get free dental care, regardless of whether or not you are a student. There are some exceptions to this, such as if you are pregnant or on a low income.
In Northern Ireland, the dentist is free for under 18s and those who are 18 and in full-time education. In Scotland and Wales, the dentist is free for students. In Scotland, basic check-ups are free for everyone, but you will need to pay for more complex dental treatments. However, you will get completely free dental treatments on the NHS if you are under 26, are pregnant or have given birth in the last 12 months, or if you have a low income and are receiving certain benefits.
If you are an international student from outside the EU, you may need to pay an immigration health surcharge (IHS) when applying for a visa to the UK. These rules may change once the UK has completely exited the EU.
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Students in Scotland and Wales get free dental care
Students in Scotland and Wales are entitled to free dental care. In Scotland, basic checkups are free for everyone, but more complex dental treatments may require payment. However, if you are under 26, pregnant, have given birth in the last 12 months, or have a low income and receive certain benefits, you can receive completely free NHS dental treatments.
In Wales, dental care is free for 19-year-olds. There are also other ways to receive affordable NHS dental care as a student, such as applying for the NHS low-income scheme. This scheme allows those with low incomes to apply for an exemption certificate or money to help pay for dental care. Students are eligible to apply for this scheme, and the relevant HC1 form can be downloaded online or picked up from job centres or NHS practices in Scotland or Wales.
In England, students below the age of 20 are entitled to free dental care. Students in Northern Ireland who are below the age of 19 are also entitled to free dental care.
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Students can access affordable NHS dental care
Dental care is not free on the NHS for most people nowadays. However, students can access affordable dental care through various means. Firstly, it is important to note that in England, Northern Ireland, and Wales, individuals under the age of 18 or those who are 18 and in full-time education are entitled to free dental treatment. This means that in your first or second year of university, if you are between 18 and 19 years old, you will be able to receive free dental care. In Scotland, basic check-ups are free for everyone, and dental care is free for 19-year-olds.
Additionally, there are government schemes available for those on a low income or who are in full-time education below a certain age. For example, in England, you are entitled to free dental treatment if you are pregnant, have had a baby in the last 12 months, or are receiving certain income-based benefits. Similarly, in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, students can access free dental care if they meet certain criteria, such as being pregnant or on a low income.
If you are not eligible for free dental care, there are still options for affordable treatment. Some dental practices work closely with universities to offer NHS care to their students. Additionally, you can contact your local dental school to inquire about discounted dental work performed by dental students under the supervision of licensed dentists. Another option is to consider purchasing dental insurance, which can provide access to a network of dentists offering discounted rates. International students from outside the EU may need to pay an immigration health surcharge when applying for visas, which can impact their access to dental care.
It is worth noting that private dentists often offer payment plans, allowing you to spread the cost of treatment into equal and affordable monthly installments. However, the costs of private dental care are typically much higher than on the NHS. Therefore, it is recommended to explore all options for affordable NHS dental care before resorting to private treatment.
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Students can apply for the NHS low-income scheme
In the UK, dental care is not free on the NHS for most people. However, certain groups are exempt from paying for NHS dental treatment, including those under the age of 18 or under 19 and in full-time education. Students aged 19 and over who are entering higher education can apply for the NHS Low-Income Scheme to determine if they qualify for help with dental costs.
The NHS Low-Income Scheme is available to students who meet the following criteria: they must not have savings or investments over a certain limit, and they must provide information about their income and living costs. To apply for the scheme, students can complete an HC1 form, which can be ordered online, downloaded and printed, or picked up from various locations, including universities, doctors' surgeries, and local benefits offices. The form will ask for information about weekly income and requirements, and a comparison will be made to determine eligibility for support.
It is important to note that the NHS Low-Income Scheme is not the only way for students to access affordable dental care. Some universities, such as UCL, work closely with dental practices to offer NHS care to their students. Additionally, private dentists may offer payment plans that allow patients to spread the cost of treatment into equal and affordable monthly instalments.
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Students can pay for private dental care in instalments
In the UK, dental care is free on the NHS for anyone under 18 or anyone who is 19 and in full-time education. This means that in your first or second year of university, if you are between 18 and 19, you will be able to receive free treatment. However, once you are 20 or older, you will not get free dental care, regardless of your student status. There are some exceptions to this rule, such as if you are pregnant or on a low income.
If you are a student who does not meet the above criteria for free NHS dental care, you may be able to access affordable treatment. For example, if you are a student of UCL, you can access NHS care through a partnership with the university.
Alternatively, private dentists often offer payment plans, allowing you to spread the cost of treatment into equal and affordable monthly instalments. The costs of going to a private dentist will often be much higher than on the NHS. However, if you cannot pay the full cost upfront, you can normally arrange a payment plan with the dentist.
There are also dental credit cards, such as CareCredit, that can be used to pay for dental treatments and examinations. These work similarly to traditional credit cards, with a set credit limit, and allow you to repay the borrowed funds on a flexible schedule.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends. If you are under 18, or under 19 and in full-time education at the time that your treatment starts, then you are entitled to free dental treatment. In Scotland and Wales, dental care is free for 19-year-olds, but not in Northern Ireland or England.
International students from outside the EU need to check if they must pay an immigration health surcharge (IHS) when applying for visas to the UK.
You can apply for the NHS low-income scheme. Private dentists will often offer payment plans, but the costs will be much higher than on the NHS.
Depending on where you live, you may be able to get discounted dental work done through a local dental school. Dental students will provide the services, but licensed dentists will supervise the process. You can also stay on your parents' dental plan until the end of the year you turn 26.
