Free dental treatment question

Britannia12345

I remember many years ago my husband got free dental treatment as he was unemployed for a short time. He booked a series of appointments to have the work done but got a job before the work was completed.
The dentist said he didn't have to pay as he was unemployed when he booked the work. 
Does this rule still stand or do you have to pay for treatment as soon as you get a job? 

brook2jack2

if you if you are exempt at the start of a course of treatment then that treatment is free and any subsequent you will have to pay for. Eg if you miss appointments and the dentist sends off the treatment as incomplete you would then need to pay for subsequent treatment.

elsien

You would also need to check the exemption criteria as being unemployed doesn't automatically qualify people for free treatment. With the older benefits such as JSA it depends if it was income or contribution based, and UC also has thresholds. 

Britannia12345

A neighbours daughter was getting free treatment before the lockdown as she was on an eligible amount of uc. She had appointments booked for crowns but the appointments were cancelled due to the lockdown. She's just started a new job and is worried she will now have to pay. 
I thought she wouldn't have to pay as my husband didn't but I guess this is a different case as the booked work has been cancelled. 

brook2jack2

It will be months before she may be able to get her crowns, things may very well have changed in dentistry in many ways. Many dental practices are on the brink of financial collapse and covid may well have permanent effects on future provision of dentistry. She should start saving 
 to pay. 

Britannia12345

  

speedfreek1000

elsien said:

You would also need to check the exemption criteria as being unemployed doesn't automatically qualify people for free treatment. With the older benefits such as JSA it depends if it was income or contribution based, and UC also has thresholds. 

True but there's also a grey area if you're on certain benefits like ESA between a failed assessment (when payment and automatic entitlement to free health care stops) and lodging a formal appeal (when payments and entitlement start up again)

So one fallout from the Mandatory Reconsideration phase is (if you qualify) the need to apply for a low income exemption certificate  https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/help-with-health-costs/nhs-low-income-scheme-lis/

Also can be applied for if you're on old style contribution based benefits and meet the criteria.