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Help towards dental treatment

My sister is on a very low wage and has to have 100's of pounds worth of dental treatment - is their any help she could get towards the cost, i have heard about the NHS low income scheme should she apply for that?
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Comments

  • if you search on the nhs website for help with health costs you should be able to easily find the phone number to call to ask for a form. You get sent a booklet to fill in and send back along with proof of earning and if you qualify they will send you a certificate to take to the dentist etc for reduced costs ;)
  • viktory
    viktory Posts: 7,635 Forumite
    It is my understand that the maximum a NHS dentist can charge is £198. That sum gets all the treatment necessary, including root fillings etc.
  • Toothsmith
    Toothsmith Posts: 10,113 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    viktory wrote: »
    It is my understand that the maximum a NHS dentist can charge is £198. That sum gets all the treatment necessary, including root fillings etc.


    That is true if it's an NHS dentist in England or Wales. In Scotland the Max NHS charge is in the 300s I think, similar in Northern Island (What a wonderful thing the NATIONAL health service is!!)

    If it's a private dentist, then there is no State help towards the cost.
    How to find a dentist.
    1. Get recommendations from friends/family/neighbours/etc.
    2. Once you have a short-list, VISIT the practices - dont just phone. Go on the pretext of getting a Practice Leaflet.
    3. Assess the helpfulness of the staff and the level of the facilities.
    4. Only book initial appointment when you find a place you are happy with.
  • Toothsmith wrote: »
    If it's a private dentist, then there is no State help towards the cost.

    Even if it's an NHS dentist providing private treatment - pretty much all my NHS dentist ever recommends these days! - there is no help either.
  • Toothsmith
    Toothsmith Posts: 10,113 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Even if it's an NHS dentist providing private treatment - pretty much all my NHS dentist ever recommends these days! - there is no help either.

    Then he's not an NHS dentist.

    Why not just get a properly private one?

    Same price, better service.
    How to find a dentist.
    1. Get recommendations from friends/family/neighbours/etc.
    2. Once you have a short-list, VISIT the practices - dont just phone. Go on the pretext of getting a Practice Leaflet.
    3. Assess the helpfulness of the staff and the level of the facilities.
    4. Only book initial appointment when you find a place you are happy with.
  • Anthillmob
    Anthillmob Posts: 11,780 Forumite
    do nhs dentists do payment schemes to new clients? my teeth are falling apart big time and i need them done but believe i have been ripped off by m y current dentist and need to change but cant afford a one off pahyment.
    There's someone in my head, but it's not me
  • She should fill in an HC1 form (available from pharmacies, dentists and some health centres).
  • Toothsmith
    Toothsmith Posts: 10,113 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Anthillmob wrote: »
    do nhs dentists do payment schemes to new clients? my teeth are falling apart big time and i need them done but believe i have been ripped off by m y current dentist and need to change but cant afford a one off pahyment.


    It varies Anthill. Some do, some don't.

    The problem is that the NHS fees are set, so a dentist offerng a 'payment scheme' couldn't charge and interest, or charges on the credit, so in the end they'd lose out.

    If it's a long course of treatment you need though, you could just pay something at each appointment.

    The maximum you should pay for one course though is £198.

    There are some places that require payment up front though, which they are allowed to do on the NHS.
    How to find a dentist.
    1. Get recommendations from friends/family/neighbours/etc.
    2. Once you have a short-list, VISIT the practices - dont just phone. Go on the pretext of getting a Practice Leaflet.
    3. Assess the helpfulness of the staff and the level of the facilities.
    4. Only book initial appointment when you find a place you are happy with.
  • karenw
    karenw Posts: 560 Forumite
    She got quoted £198 for her course of treatment from an NHS dentist, then i think she said she has to have another course of treatment down the line at £198. Could that be right toothsmith?
  • yes, A HC1 form from your local Jobcentre is what you need. You complete it and return it with receipts from the dentist and depending on her income, she will receive a proportion of a refund.
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