Savanna Hoffman
Whether you're a student or not, dental care can be expensive. In England, 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 get 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, such as if you're pregnant, on a low income, or receiving certain benefits. If you're an inpatient or outpatient at an NHS hospital, your dental treatment will also be free. If you're a student, you may be able to take advantage of other options for low-cost or free dental care, such as applying for the NHS Low Income Scheme or seeking treatment at a dental school.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dental care free for students under | 18 in England, 19 in Scotland and Wales |
| Dental care free for students who are | Pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months |
| Dental care free for students on | Low-income benefits |
| Dental care free for students who are | Inpatients or outpatients in an NHS hospital |
| Dental care free for students who are | Receiving War Pension Scheme or Armed Forces Compensation Scheme payments |
| Dental care free for students who are | Under 26 in Scotland |
| NHS Low Income Scheme | Available for students with savings, investments or property totalling under £16,000 |
| Band 1 treatment cost | £26.80 |
| Band 2 treatment cost | £60 |
| Band 3 treatment cost | £260 |
| Private dentists | More expensive, but offer payment plans |
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What You'll Learn
- Students under 18 or under 19 and in full-time education are entitled to free NHS dental treatment
- Students in Scotland and Wales can access free dental care
- Students on low incomes can apply for the NHS Low Income Scheme
- Students who are pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months are entitled to free dental care
- International students have to pay an immigration health surcharge to access free healthcare
Students under 18 or under 19 and in full-time education are entitled to free NHS dental treatment
In England, students under the age of 18 or under 19 and in full-time education are entitled to free NHS dental treatment. 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 turn 20, you will no longer be eligible for free dental care, regardless of your student status.
There are some exceptions to the age limit for free NHS dental treatment. If you are pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months, you are entitled to free dental care. People who receive certain income-based benefits, such as Income Support or Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, are also eligible for free NHS dental treatment. Additionally, if you are an inpatient or outpatient receiving dental treatment from an NHS hospital, this will be free of charge, although you may have to pay for bridges or dentures.
For students who do not meet the criteria for free NHS dental treatment, there are still options to reduce costs. The NHS Low Income Scheme provides support with health costs, including dental care, for those with low incomes, and students may qualify depending on their circumstances. Under this scheme, you can apply for full help with an HC2 certificate or partial assistance with an HC3 certificate. Alternatively, some hospitals and dental schools offer free or low-cost dental services, although the procedures are carried out by students rather than fully qualified dentists.
It is important to note that not all dentists accept NHS patients, and some offer a mix of NHS and private care. Therefore, it is advisable to check the payment terms before starting treatment. Additionally, international students or those from outside the EU may need to pay an immigration health surcharge to access free healthcare in the UK.
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Students in Scotland and Wales can access free dental care
Students in the UK have different entitlements to free dental care depending on their location and age. In Scotland, new measures have been introduced to provide free NHS dental care for all young people aged 18 to 25, which will benefit around 600,000 individuals. This is part of a wider effort to improve oral health in disadvantaged communities, which includes the launch of a £2.5 million Oral Health Community Challenge Fund in 2019.
In addition, students under the age of 18, or under 19 and in full-time education when their treatment starts, are entitled to free dental care across the UK. This will be relevant to a small number of first-year university students. Furthermore, students who are pregnant or have given birth in the last 12 months are exempt from dental treatment costs.
Students in Scotland and Wales can also access free dental care if they are on a low income. The NHS Low Income Scheme offers two tiers of help: an HC2 certificate entitles the holder to full help, while an HC3 certificate grants limited assistance. To be eligible, students must have investments, savings, and property totalling £16,000 or less.
It is important to note that not all dentists accept NHS patients, so it is advisable to check the payment terms before treatment begins.
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Students on low incomes can apply for the NHS Low Income Scheme
Students who are on low incomes can apply for the NHS Low Income Scheme. This scheme helps those with low incomes to pay for their NHS costs, including dental treatment. The scheme is open to anyone, as long as they do not have savings, investments, or property (excluding the place where they live) that exceed the capital limit. The limit is £16,000 in savings, investments, or property, or £23,250 if you permanently live in a care home. Students can apply for the scheme online or by post. To apply by post, students will need to complete an HC1 form, which can be ordered online, downloaded, or picked up from a doctor's surgery, local benefits office, or dentist. To apply online, students can visit the NHSBSA website.
The amount of help provided by the scheme depends on the applicant's weekly income and necessary outgoings, as well as any savings or investments. Depending on the student's circumstances, they may receive full help (HC2 certificate) or partial help (HC3 certificate). If the student is entitled to help, they will receive their certificate within four weeks of applying. The certificate will be valid for between 6 months and 5 years, depending on their circumstances.
Students under the age of 19, or under 20 in Scotland and Wales, or under 26 in Scotland, are entitled to free dental treatment on the NHS. Students who are pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months are also entitled to free dental care. Students who do not meet these criteria may still be able to get free dental treatment through the NHS Low Income Scheme.
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Students who are pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months are entitled to free dental care
Students are not automatically exempt from dental treatment costs. However, there are certain groups of people who are entitled to free NHS dental treatment. Students who are pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months are entitled to free dental care. This is applicable across the UK, including England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
In England, if you are under 18 or between 18 and 19 and in full-time education, you are entitled to free dental care. 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 treatment. However, once you turn 20, you will no longer be eligible for free dental care, regardless of your student status. Additionally, in England, you are entitled to free dental treatments and examinations if you are pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months, or if you are receiving low-income benefits.
In Scotland and Wales, dental care is free for 19-year-olds, while in Northern Ireland, 19-year-olds are not eligible for free treatment based solely on their age or student status. Basic check-ups are free for everyone in Scotland, but more complex dental treatments incur a cost. However, individuals under 26, those who are pregnant, and those who have given birth in the last 12 months can receive completely free dental treatments on the NHS.
For students who do not fall into these categories, there are still options available to access affordable dental care. The NHS Low Income Scheme provides support with health costs, including dental care, for those with low incomes, and students can apply if their savings, investments, and property do not exceed £16,000. There are two tiers of help: an HC2 certificate entitles you to full help, while an HC3 certificate grants limited assistance. Students can also consider registering with a dental school or hospital, where treatments are often provided at a lower cost or for free by students in training. Additionally, some universities may have dental clinics or partnerships with local practices that offer discounted rates for students.
While dental care can be costly, there are various options available to students to help reduce the financial burden. It is important to research the specific entitlements and options available in your area, as support may vary depending on your location within the UK.
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International students have to pay an immigration health surcharge to access free healthcare
In the UK, dental care is not free on the NHS for most people. However, certain groups, such as those under 18 or under 19 and in full-time education, are entitled to free NHS dental treatment. Students in their first year of university who are between the ages of 18 and 19, therefore, qualify for free dental care. Students who are pregnant or on low incomes may also be eligible for free NHS dental treatment. Additionally, students who are inpatients or outpatients of NHS hospitals can receive free dental treatment, although they may need to pay for certain procedures like bridges or dentures.
While international students on a Student visa coming to the UK for more than six months generally need to pay for dental treatment, they can access free healthcare by paying an immigration health surcharge (IHS) as part of their visa application. The IHS is a mandatory fee of £776 per year, charged to visa applicants to ensure they contribute to the cost of the NHS. By paying the IHS, international students can access NHS services in the same way as UK nationals and residents, with most treatments being free of charge. However, some services like dental treatment, prescriptions, eye tests, and assisted conception are not covered by the IHS. It's important to note that the IHS must be paid even if the student has private medical insurance, as it is a mandatory part of the Student visa application.
Students who meet specific criteria, such as receiving income-based benefits or being covered by the War Pension Scheme, may be entitled to free dental care or reimbursement for NHS dental treatment. To secure help with dental costs, students can apply for the NHS Low Income Scheme, which offers two tiers of assistance: full help with an HC2 certificate and limited assistance with an HC3 certificate. Students in different parts of the UK may also be eligible for varying levels of support, so it's advisable to research the specific rules in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland.
While dental treatment can be costly, private dentists often offer payment plans to help make it more affordable. However, it's important to be aware that private dentists set their prices, which can be significantly higher than NHS charges. Ultimately, whether through the NHS or private dentists, students will likely incur some costs for dental care unless they meet specific criteria for exemptions.
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Frequently asked questions
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, students have to pay for the dentist unless they are under 18 or 19 and in full-time education. In Scotland, basic check-ups are free for everyone.
The cost of dental treatment varies depending on the complexity of the treatment and the type of dentist (NHS or private). NHS charges fall into one of four categories, with Band 1 costing £26.80 and Band 3 costing £260. Private dentists set their prices individually, which are typically much higher than NHS fees.
Yes, students may be exempt from dental treatment costs if they are under 18 or 19 and in full-time education, pregnant, receiving low-income benefits, or an inpatient/outpatient at an NHS hospital. Additionally, students can apply for the NHS Low Income Scheme to receive support with meeting health costs.
Students can use the NHS website to search for dentists in their local area who are accepting new patients. It is worth noting that many dentists are not taking on new NHS patients, so it may be easier to register with a dentist after registering with a local GP.
Students who cannot afford dental treatment may consider seeking treatment at a dental school or hospital, which often offer free or low-cost treatment with a referral. Alternatively, private dentists may offer payment plans to spread the cost into equal and affordable monthly instalments.
