NHS in Hampshire

If you think you might need urgent treatment contact your dentist on the usual number. If you do not have a regular dentist, you can always get urgent care or be treated out of hours if clinically necessary. If you already have details of your local urgent dental service, call them. If not, call the local PCT's dental access helpline.

Visiting your dentist is important. The interval between check-ups will depend on how healthy your mouth, teeth and gums are at different times of your life. This will alter with changes in your general health or lifestyle, and your risk of future problems. If you have problems with your mouth or teeth between planned check-ups, ask your dentist for an earlier appointment.

You will be able to have all treatment provided under the NHS that your dentist feels is clinically necessary in order to keep your teeth, gums and mouth healthy. If your dentist says that you need a particular type of treatment, you should not be asked to pay for it privately.

If you are moving to live in another area of the country soon you may want to wait until you arrive in the new area before starting treatment. If you are unable to complete a course of treatment which has already been started before you move, speak to your dentist. The PCT responsible for your new area will help you find another NHS dentist if you are having difficulty.

You do not have to pay for NHS dental treatment if, when the treatment starts, you are:

• aged under 18
• under 19 and receiving full-time education
• pregnant or a mother who has had a baby in the previous 12 months
• staying in an NHS hospital and your treatment is carried out by the hospital dentist
• an NHS Hospital Dental Service outpatient (however, you may have to pay for your dentures or bridges).

You also do not have to pay if, when the treatment starts, or when you are asked to pay:

• you are included in an award of
  • Income Support
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
  • Pension Credit guarantee credit
• you are named on a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate, or you are entitled to an NHS tax credit exemption certificate
• you are named on a valid HC2 certificate.

You will not be exempt from paying because you receive Incapacity Benefit, contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance, contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Council Tax Benefit, Housing Benefit, or Pension Credit savings credit, when paid on their own. Medical conditions do not exempt patients from payment for dental treatment.

You will be asked to show your dentist written proof that you can claim, free, all or part of your NHS treatment. You will also be asked to sign a form to confirm that you do not have to pay. If your name is on a valid HC3 certificate, you may not have to pay for all your treatment. Checks are made on free and reduced cost treatment claims. If you say you have the right to free treatment when you do not, you may incur a penalty charge.

For advice on help with health costs call 0845 850 1166 or see 'Help with health costs' (HC11), available from Jobcentre Plus offices, NHS dentists, or from www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk

Patients aged 18 and over normally pay charges for NHS treatment.

There is no charge if you are :

• pregnant
• if you have had a child in the last 12 months
• if you are aged 18 in full-time education
• if you or your partner are named on a current HC2 NHS charges certificate
• if you or your partner are named on a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate
• if you or your partner receive Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or Pension Credit Guarantee Credit

If you are not in any of these groups, but have a low income, you may still be able to get help with NHS charges. You can get a claim form HC1 from any Social Security office.

Please note:

The following benefits, on their own, do not entitle you to help with health costs:

Incapacity Benefit, Disability Living Allowance, Pension Credit Savings Credit and Contribution-based Job Seeker's Allowance.

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