Free NHS dental work and coming off universal credit

samk777

Hi
I am currently entitled to free dentist and prescriptions because of being on UC. I will be coming off universal credit soon due to drawing down my pension. I know I need some dental work - if the check-up / treatment is started while I am still on UC will it be free? 

Alice_Holt

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/help-with-health-costs-for-people-getting-universal-credit/

"You should present a copy of your Universal Credit award notice to prove your entitlement. You'll need to have met the eligibility criteria in the last completed Universal Credit assessment period before your health costs arose. The NHS Business Services Authority provides an online eligibility checker."

Spoonie_Turtle

samk777 said:

Hi
I am currently entitled to free dentist and prescriptions because of being on UC. I will be coming off universal credit soon due to drawing down my pension. I know I need some dental work - if the check-up / treatment is started while I am still on UC will it be free? 

Further to Alice_Holt's comment, based on what members who are dentists have posted on the Health and Beauty board, if a course of treatment is started whilst eligible for free treatment then it remains free even if you come off UC in the meantime.

A course of treatment can include several different things spread across different appointments, but it does depend on how your dentist puts it into the system; the course of treatment is decided at the outset, and anything additional that comes up whilst doing it may count as something separate.  So just be sure to get your dentist to clarify what's what - and they should be happy to, it's in their interests that you get the exemption declaration right as well.