We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Has MSE helped you to save or reclaim money this year? Share your 2025 MoneySaving success stories!

NHS Dental Costs for 19 year old

My eldest is currently in full time further education (not uni) and is still classed as my dependant child. He's on my child benefit claim until August 2016.

We recently had dental appointments for routine check ups with the NHS dentist. When we left, I paid for my treatment but she said all my children were covered by the forms I signed last time. Today we got a letter saying he should have paid for his treatment because he is 19 now. We popped back in and they said that you can only claim free treatment if you are under 18 and in full time education. I paid the bill and she gave him a a HC1 form to fill in to see if he can claim under that.

On reading that form, that doesn't seem applicable to him as he doesn't have any income of his own or any outgoing living costs.

Should we have been charged for his treatment?

Also what happens when he goes to uni in September. Does he have to pay dental charges and prescription charges then? He'll be claiming student loans, living in student accommodation and is hoping to find a part time job.
Here I go again on my own....

Comments

  • brook2jack
    brook2jack Posts: 4,563 Forumite
    He will have to pay unless he has an exemption form.

    He has to fill out a hc1 to see if he is entitled and may be able to reclaim charges if he is.


    Most uni students get little or no help with dental and prescription charges because their student loan and parental contribution is counted as income .
  • peachyprice
    peachyprice Posts: 22,346 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Free treatment ends at 18 regardless of them being in ft education/uni.
    Accept your past without regret, handle your present with confidence and face your future without fear
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 352.9K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.9K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 454.7K Spending & Discounts
  • 246K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 602.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 177.8K Life & Family
  • 259.9K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.