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Do University Students Get Free Dental Care?
There is no automatic exemption from dental treatment costs for students. If any of the above criteria apply to you, then you are entitled to free dental care if you have the correct documentation to prove your entitlement.
But it’s worth noting that, even if you are entitled to free care, not all dentists accept NHS patients. Some dentists offer a mix of NHS and private care. So you should ensure that you find out the payment terms before treatment begins.
So you’re probably wondering how to get cheap healthcare and dentistry when you’re a student. If none of the above criteria applies to you, there are still some circumstances under which dental treatment is free.
If you’re an inpatient in an NHS hospital and receive treatment from a hospital dentist, this will be free of charge. Also, if you’re an NHS hospital dental services outpatient this treatment will also be free, but you may have to pay for bridges or dentures. These scenarios may apply to a small number of students.
For most students, the best approach will be to apply for the NHS Low Income Scheme. Keep reading to find out more about how to secure this help with your dental costs.
How to Get NHS Student Funding for Dental Care
The NHS Low Income Scheme provides support in meeting health costs for those on a low income, including students and pensioners. There are two tiers of help available. If you have an HC2 certificate this entitles you to full help, while an HC3 certificate grants limited assistance.
You can apply for this scheme so long as your investments, savings and property do not add up to more than £16,000. This does not involve the property in which you live. (The cap is different for people who live in care homes, but this is unlikely to be relevant to students).
How much help you are entitled to will depend on your income and outgoings too. If you’re eligible for help, your partner and any dependents will also get free dental care. You can apply by requesting an HC1 form online.
If you are eligible, then you need to ensure that you take your certificate with you when you visit the dentist. You would also receive help in paying for prescriptions, sight tests, glasses or contact lenses and travel costs to receive NHS treatment.
Students in different parts of the UK are entitled to different levels of support, so it’s worth doing some more research if you are studying in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Finding the Best Student Dental Care
Once you’ve worked out your entitlement, the next thing to do is to find a dentist near you. You should look for somewhere convenient to where you live, which offers all the services you need to look after your teeth.
It’s also important to find a dentist who can deal with emergencies and provide urgent dental care.
If you are suffering from severe pain, any injury or trauma to the mouth, teeth, face or jaws, or heavy bleeding, you should attend the nearest Emergency Unit. It’s important in these cases not to wait, but to seek treatment immediately.
It’s really important to look have regular dental check-ups while you’re a student. Let’s be realistic about the student lifestyle! There are many reasons why your dental health may suffer during your student years, including late nights and a poor diet.
Even if you’re living a healthy lifestyle and doing a lot of sport, there’s some evidence that this could affect dental health too. Sporty students might consume a lot of sports drinks and energy bars and this can lead to poor gum health.
There are many reasons for a university student to consider a visit to Wilton Dental Practice, which is located in the central London, and well connected by all routes. This makes it a convenient location for regular visits. Having a dentist local to where you are studying means you do not have to wait until you go home during the vacations to have your regular check-up or to address any problems.
Preventative care to identify any potential problems will result in better long-term dental health. And this of course will save you money too. It’s important to note that even if you are eligible for NHS care, some of your treatments may require some payment.
Wilton dental Practice had enjoyed a long relationship with several London universities and is proud to cater to university students for years.
We offer a routine check-up and ongoing treatment for anyone over the age of 18. Prices for regular checks start from as little as £12.00/pm
The team at Wilton Dental Practice have worked with students for many years, so they understand your needs. They will offer dental health advice and care which is appropriate to your lifestyle.
Is there a student dentist discount?
Although there is no student discount for dental treatments specifically, there are plenty of ways you might be able to access more affordable dental treatments if you are a student.
As detailed above, there are a number of government schemes available for those on a low income or who are in full-time education below a certain age.
We work closely with the university to offer best dental care to university students, and for those outside of this university who want to access affordable treatment, our team will always work hard to see what help is available to you.
To find out more about our treatments and fees or to see if you could access cheaper dental treatments with us, get in touch at 020 7834 6361
The Best Dentist for Uni Students in London
Now that we’ve explored all the details about eligibility for free dental care, you should have a clear idea of your own position. It’s a little complicated; if you’re not entitled to free care, then what you need is to find an affordable dentist for students.
Wilton Dental Practice is the best choice for University students, due to our convenient location and long history of working with Universities to look after the dental health of their students. Don’t hesitate to come and see us and discuss all your dental and oral health needs. You can register here and arrange an appointment to visit us soon!
