Written by Christina Boman-Markaki, reviewed by the Find Care Compare team · Last updated October 2026
At a glance
- Free if you’re under 18, or under 19 and in full-time education.
- Free if you’re pregnant or had a baby in the last 12 months. Show your MATB1, MatEx or your baby’s birth certificate.
- Free if you or your partner get Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, or Universal Credit with household take-home pay of £435 or less (£935 if your award includes a child element or limited capability for work).
- On a low income? Apply to the NHS Low Income Scheme (form HC1) for full help (HC2) or partial help (HC3).
- Claiming free treatment you’re not entitled to can mean a penalty of up to £100 plus the original charge. These rules apply in England only.
Free NHS dental treatment is available to a large number of people in England - but the rules can be confusing. Whether you receive certain benefits, are pregnant, or are under a certain age, you may qualify for treatment at no cost.
This guide explains who is entitled to free NHS dental care, what counts as evidence, and what to do if you are not sure whether you qualify.
Get a quick answer about your eligibility. Answer a few questions to see whether you could qualify for free NHS dental care.
Are you in pain, or do you have swelling or bleeding right now?
Who qualifies for free NHS dental treatment?
Several groups of people are automatically entitled to free NHS dental treatment in England. The most common are set out below.
Under 18s
All children and young people under the age of 18 are entitled to free NHS dental treatment. If you are under 19 and in full-time education, you are also covered.
Pregnant women and new mothers
If you are pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months, you are entitled to free NHS dental treatment. You do not need a MatEx specifically. Proof can be a maternity certificate (MAT B1), a valid maternity exemption certificate, a birth certificate or a stillbirth certificate. Your midwife, doctor or health visitor can apply for a maternity exemption certificate on your behalf, which also gives you free prescriptions.
People receiving certain benefits
You are entitled to free NHS dental treatment if you or your partner currently receive any of the following:
- Universal Credit (in most circumstances - see Key Point below)
- NHS Low Income Scheme (HC2 certificate)
- Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)
If you receive Universal Credit, you qualify for free dental treatment only if your take-home pay in your last Universal Credit assessment period was £435 or less - or £935 or less if your Universal Credit payment includes a child element or you have limited capability for work.
Receiving Universal Credit? The rules can be tricky. Your eligibility depends on your take-home pay and circumstances. Use our checker to help work out whether you qualify.
Are you in pain, or do you have swelling or bleeding right now?
People aged 18-24 not in education
If you are 18 to 24 and not in full-time education, you are not automatically entitled to free dental treatment unless you receive a qualifying benefit. However, you may still be eligible through the NHS Low Income Scheme (see below).
NHS low income scheme (HC1/HC2)
If you are on a low income but do not receive a qualifying benefit, you can apply for help with dental costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme. You complete an HC1 form, and if successful you receive an HC2 certificate, which entitles you to free treatment, or an HC3 certificate, which gives partial help with costs.
HC1 forms are available from NHS hospitals, some GP practices, and online via the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) website.
How to check your entitlement: a quick guide
- Do you receive a qualifying benefit? (for example, Income Support, Pension Credit, or Universal Credit within the earnings threshold)
If yes - you are entitled to free NHS dental treatment.
- Are you pregnant, or have you had a baby in the last 12 months?
If yes - you are entitled to free NHS dental treatment. Bring proof such as your MATB1, MatEx or your baby’s birth certificate.
- Are you under 18, or under 19 and in full-time education?
If yes - you are entitled to free NHS dental treatment.
- Are you on a low income?
If yes - apply for an HC1 form through the NHS Low Income Scheme.
- None of the above apply.
You will need to pay standard NHS dental charges.
Learn more: NHS dental charges explained
What proof do you need?
When you attend your NHS dental appointment, you will be asked to confirm your entitlement. Depending on your situation, you may be asked to show:
- your HC2 or HC3 certificate (Low Income Scheme)
- your MATB1, MatEx certificate, or your baby’s birth certificate (pregnant women and new mothers)
- proof of the qualifying benefit you receive (for example, a recent award letter or UC statement)
What treatment is covered?
Free NHS dental treatment covers the same range of treatments available to all NHS patients, including:
- check-ups and examinations
- X-rays
- scale and polish (if clinically needed)
- fillings
- extractions
- root canal treatment
- dentures and bridges (where clinically appropriate)
Not all treatments available privately are provided on the NHS. Your dentist will explain what is clinically necessary and what falls outside the NHS offer.
Found out what you need? Now find a dentist
Compare NHS and private dentists near you and see which services they offer - so you can go straight to the practice that fits your needs.
What you'll get
- NHS and private dental providers, side-by-side
- Urgent and routine appointments
- Compare your options in one place
NHS dental charge bands
If you do not qualify for free treatment, NHS dental care in England is charged at one of three standard bands. The charges below have been in force from 1 April 2026 and are reviewed annually by NHS England.
| Band | What is included | Charge (from 1 April 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Band 1 | Examination, X-rays, scale and polish (if appropriate) | £27.90 |
| Band 2 | Everything in Band 1, plus fillings, extractions, root canal | £76.60 |
| Band 3 | Everything in Bands 1 and 2, plus crowns, dentures, bridges | £332.10 |
Even if you pay NHS charges, these are fixed fees that cover all treatment within that band - not a per-item charge.
What if you are in Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland?
Dental entitlement rules differ across the UK. The information on this page applies to England only.
- Wales: NHS dental examinations are free for patients aged under 25 or aged 60 or over, and treatment is free for under-18s. A new contract took effect from 1 April 2026, replacing the three bands with care-package charges (for example, £37.50 for urgent care), with a maximum of £384 per course of treatment.
- Scotland: Since April 2006, NHS dental examinations have been free for all patients. Adults still pay 80% of treatment costs, capped at £384 per course of treatment. Since 24 August 2021, all patients aged under 26 receive fully free NHS dental treatment.
- Northern Ireland: A separate charge structure applies. Patients pay 80% of the cost of treatment, up to a maximum of £384 per course of treatment.
If you live outside England, check the relevant NHS or health department website for your nation.
Finding a dentist
Not all dental practices accept NHS patients, and availability varies by area. Use the search below to find NHS dental practices near you.
Frequently asked questions
Sources and information
- NHS.uk - Who can get free NHS dental treatment
- NHSBSA - Free NHS dental treatment
- NHSBSA - Universal Credit and help with health costs
- NHSBSA - Pregnant or had a baby in the past 12 months
- NHSBSA - Maternity exemption certificates
- NHSBSA - NHS Low Income Scheme
- NHSBSA - Understanding penalty charges
- NHS.uk - NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS)
- Legislation.gov.uk - NHS (Dental Charges) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
- UK Parliament - Written statement on dental charges from 1 April 2026
- GOV.WALES - NHS dental charges and exemptions
- NHS inform Scotland - Receiving NHS dental treatment in Scotland
- National Services Scotland - Dental charges and exemptions
- Scottish Government - Removal of NHS dental charges for all young people
- HSC Business Services Organisation Northern Ireland - Dental charges and fees