19 year old at college needs to pay for dentist?

enginestar

My son is 19. He had a dentist appointment.
He was told he had to pay.
He's still in full time education at college.

I searched up - the surgery are correct it seems in applying the rules.
I called 111 - I thought it was a mistake. They seemed fairly informed and said the same.

This sounds crazy. He's not in employment and still at college.
Other things he has are 16-19 - like travel on London Underground.

The NHS rule is, free dental care if you are under 19.

Most 19 year olds, who are at college doing BTEC or A Levels have no income!

The lady on 111 suggested he should claim job seekers allowance. This is a silly response! (She was really nice though, don't want to have a go at her.) I'm 100% sure this is not allowed as he is in full time education still.

I'm guessing someone has made a serious mixup when they wrote the rules.

Any thoughts?

I had to pay in the end for a check up. He was in pain for many days.
The dentist saw him for 60 seconds and he was finished. LOL.

HampshireH

Yup it's under 19 and in education or under 18 when treatment starts.

Perhaps he could get a part time job. Many 19 years do.

They have to have a cut off somewhere. Some people choose to stay at college doing various courses for years.

At 19 he is an adult

sevenhills

He should apply for an HC2 certificate.

"People on a low income can include some students and pensioners."

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/who-is-entitled-to-free-nhs-dental-treatment-in-england/

Alice_Holt

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/dental-costs/get-help-with-dental-costs/

The dentist should have copies of the HC2 forms.

Very disappointing that the 111 line didn't inform you of this, the suggestion of claiming JSA (although well meaning) is totally inappropriate for a student.

mebu60

Definitely apply for an HC2. It's not just free dental but free prescriptions and free sight tests (every two years) plus contribution if glasses required. Be sure to diary the expiry date and apply for next HC2 in good time. 

enginestar

Thanks guys. Much appreciated. He has had part time jobs, but not working right now, I didn't want to complicate the whole story by adding.

HC2: thank you. The dentist gave this.
I'll be filling in for him.

Yes... they have to have a cut off time...
But I think someone made a typo when writing the rules 🙂
Someone born in mid September gets a cut off much earlier than say someone who has a birthday in late June for example. I think it would be sensible to say: 16-19 and in full time education (as is the case for TFL and other things like student passes).

olgadapolga

enginestar said:

Thanks guys. Much appreciated. He has had part time jobs, but not working right now, I didn't want to complicate the whole story by adding.

HC2: thank you. The dentist gave this.
I'll be filling in for him.

 You can apply online. My son had his HC2 certificate within a week of applying online.

Do you get Child Tax Credits for him?

Bue21

enginestar said:

Yes... they have to have a cut off time...
But I think someone made a typo when writing the rules 🙂
Someone born in mid September gets a cut off much earlier than say someone who has a birthday in late June for example. I think it would be sensible to say: 16-19 and in full time education (as is the case for TFL and other things like student passes).

On the other hand most students finish 6th form education at 18 (although some will be closer to 19 if born in the autumn). I believe under 19 was used to ensure all students are covered until the end of year 13. However, If they made the end of year 13 the cut off rather than a specific age, then it wouldn’t be fair to those spring and summer born children who would effectively miss out on this free treatment (summer born are already somewhat disadvantaged by the education system and this would mean they would be disadvantaged by the medical system too). By using age 19 all children should have the opportunity to receive the same number of dental check ups as long as they remain in full time education.

[Deleted User]

my son whos a student got turned down for a HC2  - no other jobs just student loan.

enginestar

Guys, thanks for the replies.
My son had to retake, so he's in his last year at college. Loads of other students will be the same.

HC2 form - that looks like 1 hour of time!

[Deleted User] said:

my son whos a student got turned down for a HC2  - no other jobs just student loan.

Student loan = at university. That's different I would suggest.
My son is at college.

olgadapolga said:

enginestar said:

Thanks guys. Much appreciated. He has had part time jobs, but not working right now, I didn't want to complicate the whole story by adding.

HC2: thank you. The dentist gave this.
I'll be filling in for him.

 You can apply online. My son had his HC2 certificate within a week of applying online.

Do you get Child Tax Credits for him?

I maybe wrong, but I'm sure we still get tax credits for him. I had to fill in a form and say he was at college still.

Other comments made: I still think there's a mistake made by the government! A student who has zero income, who resits and ends up spending 3 years at college shouldn't be expected to pay. I agree, there has to be a cut off. A student could maybe want to start a 4th year at college - but then the course at college will no longer be free to them. If NHS services like dental treatment aren't free, then be consistent and cut off other things like college being free.

Much more educated I am thanks to all replies. Thanks.

olgadapolga

enginestar said:

Guys, thanks for the replies.
My son had to retake, so he's in his last year at college. Loads of other students will be the same.

HC2 form - that looks like 1 hour of time!

[Deleted User] said:

my son whos a student got turned down for a HC2  - no other jobs just student loan.

Student loan = at university. That's different I would suggest.
My son is at college.

olgadapolga said:

enginestar said:

Thanks guys. Much appreciated. He has had part time jobs, but not working right now, I didn't want to complicate the whole story by adding.

HC2: thank you. The dentist gave this.
I'll be filling in for him.

 You can apply online. My son had his HC2 certificate within a week of applying online.

Do you get Child Tax Credits for him?

I maybe wrong, but I'm sure we still get tax credits for him. I had to fill in a form and say he was at college still.

Other comments made: I still think there's a mistake made by the government! A student who has zero income, who resits and ends up spending 3 years at college shouldn't be expected to pay. I agree, there has to be a cut off. A student could maybe want to start a 4th year at college - but then the course at college will no longer be free to them. If NHS services like dental treatment aren't free, then be consistent and cut off other things like college being free.

Much more educated I am thanks to all replies. Thanks.

Okay, so if you had an NHS Tax Credits Exemption Certificate and your son is shown on your Tax Credits award notice then he's still covered. Otherwise you need the HC2 certificate which is about 15 minutes to complete online.