Help please with dental care costs whilst receiving universal credit payments.

TUVOK

My son who has extensive physical health problems cannot work and is receiving universal credit payments.
I've 'googled' this situation online but I can't seem to determine what/if you are entitled to help with dental care.
If any member can clarify the rules on this situation I would be very grateful.
Thank you.

elsien

It’s based on income within universal credit so if he’s not working, then he should be able to get free treatment.
https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/check-if-youre-eligible-help/getting-benefits/hwhc-universal-credit#:~:text=If%20you%20are%20entitled%20because,free%20NHS%20sight%20tests

Muttleythefrog

To add - his monthly statements should confirm in this expandable section as pasted from my own statement.
(Getting an NHS dentist on other hand probably more difficult - I'd have to catch a flight to the Scilly Isles for the nearest to me taking on patients).

Other support you may be able to get

You may be able to get extra support, eg free school meals, food if you're pregnant or have a young child, help with legal costs and the costs of using courts or tribunals. You'll find more information about this on GOV.UK

Examples of support you can get

What you can get may depend on how much you earn.

Your take-home pay for this Universal Credit period is £0.00.

You have limited capability for work and work-related activity.

The extra support available depending on your monthly income

If your take-home pay per month is up to	You may be able to get help with
£435 (or up to £935 if you are responsible for a child or have limited capability for work)	Health costs Including free NHS prescriptions, free NHS wigs and fabric supports, free NHS dental treatment, free sight tests in England (NHS eye examinations are already free in Scotland), vouchers towards the cost of glasses or contact lenses and help with the cost of travel to receive NHS treatment on referral.

HillStreetBlues

Went to NHS dentist yesterday (only 60 miles away) I'm not working and on UC and not a problem like others have advised.

scottleag

HillStreetBlues said:

Went to NHS dentist yesterday (only 60 miles away) I'm not working and on UC and not a problem like others have advised.

When I first registered with my NHS dentist 25 years ago I moaned like hell because it was a half-hour bus ride and I couldn't get anything closer. Moved back to same area after 12 years away and was still registered. Now I think 'great, not only have I an NHS dentist, it's ONLY half an hour on the bus.'

peteuk

scottleag said:

HillStreetBlues said:

Went to NHS dentist yesterday (only 60 miles away) I'm not working and on UC and not a problem like others have advised.

When I first registered with my NHS dentist 25 years ago I moaned like hell because it was a half-hour bus ride and I couldn't get anything closer. Moved back to same area after 12 years away and was still registered. Now I think 'great, not only have I an NHS dentist, it's ONLY half an hour on the bus.'

Sorry to burst your bubble - no one is registered with a dentist unless under on going treatment.  Should the dentist retain your information then thats ok, but your not “registered” with them.  This is a regular problem many have, especially now NHS dentists are few and far between…

”But Im registered with them…” nope and hence why they can remove NHS status. 

scottleag

You could have explained that without the smug know all intro but each to their own.

TELLIT01

I don't see anything smug in peteuk's comment.  I was under the impression that I was registered with my dentist.  It's as well to know that isn't the case.

scottleag

The point I was trying to make wasn't about registration as such. It was - in response to the previous post about the nearest NHS dentist being 60 miles away - to illustrate the decline of NHS dentistry. Having to travel 30 minutes by bus in 1998 was considered a consequence of poor provision locally. Making the same journey to the same practice in 2023 is now a fortunate position to be in. My unwitting error wrt registration (and I agree it's good to know the actual position) could easily have been pointed out by saying something along the lines of  'Actually that's not quite right.....', 'I should point out that.....', or 'I'm afraid it's a common misconception that.....' Words matter. 

TUVOK

Many thanks for the comments to date, I will be examining the info over the weekend, hopefully it will help my son.

GiroBoy

peteuk said:

scottleag said:

HillStreetBlues said:

Went to NHS dentist yesterday (only 60 miles away) I'm not working and on UC and not a problem like others have advised.

When I first registered with my NHS dentist 25 years ago I moaned like hell because it was a half-hour bus ride and I couldn't get anything closer. Moved back to same area after 12 years away and was still registered. Now I think 'great, not only have I an NHS dentist, it's ONLY half an hour on the bus.'

Sorry to burst your bubble - no one is registered with a dentist unless under on going treatment.  Should the dentist retain your information then thats ok, but your not “registered” with them.  This is a regular problem many have, especially now NHS dentists are few and far between…

”But Im registered with them…” nope and hence why they can remove NHS status. 

I'm registered with a NHS dentist, i get check ups every 6 months, maybe it is different in Scotland - https://www.mygov.scot/register-with-dentist/what-treatment-can-i-get-as-a-registered-nhs-patient