Lori Meadows
University students are recommended to register with a local dental practice and a local GP. However, it is unclear whether students receive free dental care or not, and this depends on several factors. In England, dental care is not usually free on the NHS, and there is no automatic exemption for students. However, students under 19 years of age in full-time education are entitled to free NHS dental treatment. Students who are pregnant or on a low income may also be eligible for free NHS dental care.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dental care free for university students? | In England, Northern Ireland, and Wales, dental care is free for 18–19-year-olds in full-time education. In Scotland, it is free for 19-year-olds. |
| In England, dental care is not free for students beyond the age of 19. | |
| Students on low incomes, receiving certain benefits, or with dependents may be eligible for free NHS dental care. | |
| Cost of dental care for students | NHS dental services are split into three bands: Band 1 (£26.80), Band 2 (£73.50), and Band 3 (£319.10). |
| Private dental care is more expensive and usually does not include financial support. | |
| Finding a dentist | Students can use the NHS find a dentist service or ask at their university health centre for referrals. |
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What You'll Learn
Dental care costs for university students in England
Dental care is not free for university students in England, except for those who meet certain criteria. The National Health Service (NHS) provides free dental care for individuals under 18 or those aged 18-19 in full-time education at the start of their treatment. Thus, university students aged 18-19 in their first or second year of university can receive free NHS dental treatment. However, once they turn 20, they will have to pay for dental care, regardless of their student status.
Cost Bands for Dental Treatment
Dental treatment costs in England are typically divided into three bands:
- Band 1 (£26.80): Covers basic check-ups, X-rays, emergency care, and preventative care.
- Band 2 (£73.50): Includes all Band 1 treatments plus more complex procedures like fillings, root canals, and tooth extractions.
- Band 3 (£319.10): Covers everything in Bands 1 and 2, plus treatments such as capping teeth, bridges, and veneers.
Exemptions and Reductions
While university students in England generally pay for dental care, there are exemptions and cost reduction options available:
- Low-Income Scheme: Students with low incomes can apply for an exemption certificate or financial support through the NHS Low-Income Scheme by completing an HC1 form. This can help cover costs for dental care, prescriptions, sight tests, and travel to appointments.
- Pregnancy and Postpartum: Individuals who are pregnant or have given birth in the last 12 months are entitled to free NHS dental treatment.
- Benefits Recipients: Those receiving certain income-based benefits, such as Income Support, Employment and Support Allowance, or specific Pension Credits, may be eligible for free NHS dental treatment.
- University Health Centres: Some universities may have dental clinics or partnerships with local practices that offer reduced fees for students.
- Dental Schools and Hospitals: Dental schools and hospitals may provide free or low-cost dental services, although treatments are typically performed by students rather than qualified dentists.
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Free dental care for students in Scotland and Wales
University students do have to pay for dental care in most cases. However, in Scotland and Wales, there are a few ways that students can access free dental care.
Firstly, in Scotland, basic check-ups are free for everyone. If you are under 18, or between 18 and 25 years old, you are eligible for free NHS dental treatment. Additionally, if you are under 26, pregnant, have given birth in the last 12 months, or have a low income, you can receive free NHS dental treatments. You can check your eligibility for help with NHS dental costs using the quick checker on the gov.uk website. Alternatively, you can apply for the NHS low-income scheme by filling out an HC1 form. This scheme allows those with low incomes to apply for an exemption certificate or money to pay for dental care.
In Wales, students can also access free dental care through the NHS low-income scheme. This scheme is open to students and allows those with low incomes to apply for an exemption certificate or money to pay for dental care.
Besides these options, there are a few other ways to access low-cost or free dental care as a student. Some hospitals and dental schools offer free or low-cost dental services, although these procedures will be carried out by students rather than qualified dentists. Additionally, you can ask at your university health centre, as they may have a dental clinic that can provide referrals or know of local practices that accept students.
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Eligibility for free dental care
In England, the NHS provides free dental care for individuals under the age of 18 or those aged 18-19 who are in full-time education. This means that in your first or second year of university, if you are between 18 and 19 years old, you are eligible for free dental treatment. However, once you turn 20, you will no longer be eligible for free dental care, regardless of your student status.
In Northern Ireland, free dental care is available for individuals under the age of 18 and those who are 18 and in full-time education. Similar to England, dental care is not provided free of charge for individuals in their later years of university who are 19 or older.
Scotland and Wales offer free dental care to 19-year-olds. Basic check-ups are free for everyone in Scotland, but there is a charge for more complex treatments. Additionally, in Scotland, individuals under the age of 26 can receive free dental treatments on the NHS if they are pregnant or have a low income.
It is important to note that dental care is not automatically free for students in England, and registration with a dental practice is required to receive treatment. Some universities may have a dental clinic or know of local practices that accept students.
Students with low incomes can apply for the NHS Low-Income Scheme, which provides support for dental care costs. This scheme is open to students and covers other healthcare costs such as prescriptions and sight tests. To apply, individuals need to complete an HC1 or HC2 form, providing personal details and proof of earnings or benefits.
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NHS dental treatment costs
In the UK, dentistry is one of the few NHS services that require patients to pay a contribution towards the cost of their care. There are three standard charges for NHS dental treatment, and the cost will vary depending on the treatment required. The three bands of treatment are as follows:
Band 1: £23.80 (£27.40 in Wales)
- Examination, diagnosis, x-rays, scale and polish.
- When you need to see a dentist immediately, usually for extreme pain, swelling or excessive bleeding.
Band 2: £65.20 (£47.00 in Wales)
All treatments in Band 1, plus additional procedures such as fillings, root canal treatment, relining of dentures and extractions.
Band 3: £282.80
All treatments in Bands 1 and 2, plus more complex procedures such as crowns, dentures or bridges.
If you require a mix of treatments from different bands, you will pay for the cost of the highest band of treatment. If you need a mix of treatments from the same band, you will only pay the band charge once.
Who is eligible for free NHS dental treatment?
In England, you are entitled to free dental treatments and examinations if you are under 18, aged 18-19 and in full-time education, pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months, or if you are receiving low-income benefits. 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 aged 19 and under.
If you are a university student, you may be able to access affordable NHS dental care through your university. For example, UCL works closely with the university to offer NHS care to its students. If you cannot pay the full cost upfront, you may be able to spread the cost into equal and affordable monthly instalments.
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Finding a dentist as a university student
As a university student, you may be entitled to free NHS dental care in your first year if you are between 18 and 19 years old. In England, the NHS offers free dental care to students up to the age of 19, while in Scotland and Wales, it is offered to 19-year-olds. However, in Northern Ireland, you are not eligible for free treatment based on your age or student status alone. If you are under 19 and not in full-time education, or over 20, you will need to pay for dental treatment.
There are a few ways to find a dentist as a university student:
- University Health Centre: Your university may have a health centre that can refer you to a dental clinic or a local practice that accepts students.
- NHS Find a Dentist Service: You can use the NHS Find a Dentist service to search for dentists in your area. You can search by postcode, and the service will indicate whether dentists are accepting new patients.
- NHS 111: If you need to find a dentist at short notice or when your regular dentist is closed, you can call 111 for assistance.
- Greater Manchester Urgent Dental Care Helpline: If you reside in Greater Manchester, you can access urgent or emergency dental treatment by calling the Greater Manchester Urgent Dental Care helpline at 0333 332 3800 from 8 am to 10 pm daily.
- Private Dental Care: If you are struggling to register with an NHS dentist, you can consider private dental care. Many NHS dentists also offer private treatment, and you can use the NHS search to find private dentists in your area.
It is important to note that dental care is not entirely free on the NHS, and there may be costs associated with specific treatments. Additionally, due to restricted NHS funding and a lack of practising dentists, accessing NHS dental care can be challenging. Therefore, it is advisable to explore your options and compare practices to understand their charges better.
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Frequently asked questions
In England, dental care is not usually free, even on the NHS, and there is no automatic exemption for students. However, there are certain groups of people who don't have to pay for NHS dental treatment, including those under 19 in full-time education.
The cost of NHS dental services falls into three bands of treatment: Band 1 costs £26.80 and includes a basic check-up, X-rays, and emergency care; Band 2 includes everything in Band 1 plus more complex treatments and costs £73.50; Band 3 covers everything in the first two bands and more for £319.10.
Students are eligible to apply for the NHS Low-Income Scheme, which can help with costs such as dental care. You can download and print the HC1 form online or pick one up from job centres or NHS practices if you live in Scotland or Wales.
Some hospitals and dental schools offer free or low-cost dental services, although the procedures will be carried out by students rather than qualified dentists. You can also try ringing 111 for help finding a dentist that can see you at short notice.
Private dental care is typically more expensive than NHS treatment, and you will usually have to pay in full for each treatment. However, some private dentists offer monthly membership payment plans.
