YOU'RE not the only one raking through your purse for change at the dentist's office.
The cost of living crisis is at an eye-watering high at the moment, taking dental and medical costs with it.
Food costs are now reaching a new annual rate of £533, and energy bills sky-rocketing to £5,000 next year.
But dental bills are far from cheap too, with many feeling the strain already.
The NHS treats dental patients using bands.
The band is a category of treatment – in other words, what you're getting done. It also helps to clearly label how much treatments cost.
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There are three NHS charge bands, ranging from £23.80 to £282.80.
The cost depends on whether you're just getting a check up, a small procedure like root canal, or something more major like dentures or bridges.
If you're unsure about why you're being charged these prices, we recommend calling up your local practice – they should be able to provide a clear explanation.
How can I get free dental care?
Of course, you'll be wanting to know whether you can avoid these costs, and how.
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There are a number of categories which allow certain people to receive free dental care.
We've rounded them up for you below.
Pregnant or new parents
You can get both prescriptions and NHS dental care for free while you're pregnant, as well as for 12 months after your baby is born.
Prescriptions in England currently cost £9.35, while NHS dental costs vary by location.
To claim the free care, ask your doctor or midwife for a maternity exemption certificate (MATEX).
For more freebies available while you're pregnant, read our article here.
Universal Credit claimants
You could get help with covering health costs, such as paying for your prescriptions and dental treatment, if you're on Universal Credit.
To claim, you’ll need to show a copy of your Universal Credit award notice to your surgery.
You won’t be able to claim on health costs before you were deemed eligible for the Universal Credit.
If you’re entitled to claim, you could get free NHS prescriptions, dental treatment, sight tests, wigs and fabric supports.
Again, NHS prescriptions currently cost £9.35 in the UK.
Benefits
If you're on low income, you could get some help towards dental costs.
How much you can get depends on your income and circumstances, including your outgoings and any savings you have.
You can find out more about the NHS low income scheme here, including who qualifies and how to apply.
If you've already had to pay for prescriptions or other treatment costs and think you qualify for this help you might be able to claim a refund when you apply.
You can check easily if you can help with prescriptions and other health related costs using the government's eligibility checker.
It can tell you if you can get help with dental, as well as other NHS costs, like glasses, sight tests and even help with travel costs when getting NHS treatment.
You might also be eligible for A Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC), which is like a season ticket for prescriptions.
It can work out cheaper if you pay for regular medication and can cover either three months or one year.
A three month PPC is £30.25 while a 12 month PPC is £108.10.
The PPC covers as many prescriptions as you need over the time period you pay for.
To make the 12 month PPC worthwhile you would need to normally pay for at least 12 prescriptions each year.
Each of these 12 medications would work out cheaper than an individual prescription charge.
For a three month prescription you would need to get at least four separate prescription items for the PPC to work out cheaper.
Age
You’re entitled to free NHS dental treatment if, when your treatment starts, you’re:
- under 18
- under 19 and in full time education
Tax credits
If your annual family income is £15,276 or less and you're on tax credits, you might be eligible for exemption.
You'll need to receive either:
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit paid together
- Working Tax Credit including a disability element
If you meet these conditions, you will automatically receive an NHS tax credit exemption certificate.
War Pension Scheme or Armed Forces Compensation Scheme payments
You can claim money back for dental treatment if you receive War Pension Scheme or Armed Forces Compensation Scheme payments and the treatment is for your accepted disability.
You can also claim money back for NHS travel costs, sight test, glasses or contact lenses if this concerns you.
To do that, you'll need to contact the NHS.
You can do that by calling 0808 1914218 or by writing to this address:
The Treatment Group
Veterans UK
Norcross
Blackpool
FY5 3WP
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