People named on an NHS certificate for partial assistance with health costs (HC can. This page explains when patients are entitled to free dental care from the NHS. NHS dental charges depend on the treatment you need to keep your mouth, teeth and gums healthy. Unfortunately, most dental care isn't free, even under the NHS, and there's no automatic exemption for students.
An NHS dental exam in Scotland is free for everyone. You will also need the HC5 (D) reimbursement claim form for dental charges (PDF, 59 kb), explaining why you are requesting a refund. He suggested that those in need of urgent treatment should go to see their family doctor, prompting the British Medical Association to note that a general practitioner did not replace a qualified dentist. If you have dental problems physically and emotionally but don't have the funds to pay for treatment, try contacting oral health charities, such as Dentaid and the Oral Health Foundation, to see if they can offer help paying for dental treatment.
You cannot claim reimbursement for the cost of private dental treatment or sundries, such as toothbrushes, on the NHS. If you are referred to another dentist for another separate treatment, you can expect a second charge. The charge should only apply to the private aspect of the work done, as dentists cannot charge for missing treatments offered on the NHS. If you had a combination of NHS and private treatment, you can only get reimbursed for charges that were part of your NHS treatment.
If you are an outpatient in the Hospital Dental Service or a patient in the Community Dental Service, you may have to pay for treatments that include dental laboratory items, such as dentures and bridges. You will not be charged for individual parts of the work after each appointment if they are part of a broader treatment. Unless you belong to one of the groups entitled to free NHS dental treatment, or who helps you with the cost, you will have to pay 80% of the cost of your NHS dental treatment up to a maximum of £384 per treatment course. A treatment plan is a document that helps explain the treatment you need and what it will entail.
The Royal Commission of the National Health Service in 1979 reported that local authorities had a legal obligation to make comprehensive dental treatment available to students since 1953, but lack of staff had prevented the school's dental service from providing it. To avoid the unpleasant surprise of a large bill, ask to see your personal, full-cost dental treatment plan before you start. Get ready to tell your story honestly, explaining the physical and emotional impact your dental problem is having on your life and why you need financial support. But while dentists can't charge for missed appointments, it's worth keeping in mind that the dental office may refuse future appointments with you if you repeatedly delay your treatment sessions or don't keep appointments.
Your dentist should explain to you which treatments are available on the NHS and which are only offered privately.
