Eligibility for free treatment.
Dental patients themselves are responsible for claiming eligibility for free treatment. Dental practice staff are not expected to advise patients on the matter and mustn’t do so.
This is the advice of NHS Business Services Authority in response to a client query raised earlier this year by Citizens Advice Reigate & Banstead and investigated by Healthwatch Surrey.
Our client thought he would be eligible because he was receiving working tax credits.
The dentist accepted this and carried out the treatment. Unfortunately it proved incorrect and the patient was shocked to receive a bill and a penalty charge.
If someone isn’t sure whether they are eligible the NHS advice is to pay and claim back later. But they should also read the NHS information on free dental treatment, part of a section on Help with NHS health Costs.
This information certainly helps. And it obviously makes sense not to put off necessary treatment. The trouble is when a patient chooses for whatever reason not to pay. Then they risk worse dental health and more expense in the longer term.