Do students get discounts on dental care (braces inparticular)?

(I didn't know where to post this, mods feel free to move this as you wish).

I only asked because I was considering getting braces. Also, does anyone know anything about Invisalign? Are these available on NHS? And is it expensive if I do have to pay (being over 18 and all..............).

Reply 1

caw123

10

You can get free dental care or discounted dental care if you fill in an NHS HC1 form. I don't know if that would include braces though.

Reply 2

Illusionary

19

It's still income-assessed though, based on your parents' income, so you may not get any help - it's worth trying though... and hoping :smile:

Reply 3

Lizj

10

Illusionary

It's still income-assessed though, based on your parents' income, so you may not get any help - it's worth trying though... and hoping :smile:

The HC1 form is not based on parental income, it is based on your own income as a student.
However, it is unlikely that it would entitle you to free orthodontic treatment, which is very expensive, especially if it were just for cosmetic reasons.

Reply 4

Illusionary

19

Lizj

The HC1 form is not based on parental income, it is based on your own income as a student.
However, it is unlikely that it would entitle you to free orthodontic treatment, which is very expensive, especially if it were just for cosmetic reasons.

Okay, sorry - I know that I didn't get anything, but that may have been because I received university support money from my parents :confused:

Reply 5

Ronove

18

I had my first orthodontic appointment before I turned 18 and that's the only reason I'm not paying for my brace. So no, I don't think you'd get a discount or anything.

Reply 6

Syres4me

OP

2

Lizj

The HC1 form is not based on parental income, it is based on your own income as a student.
However, it is unlikely that it would entitle you to free orthodontic treatment, which is very expensive, especially if it were just for cosmetic reasons.

Oh ok. That's a shame :frown:

. Guess I'll have to put that on back burner...... Just out of interest do you know what the HC1 covers (in terms of discounts other than dental care)?

Reply 7

princess_bratty

Caw123 is right. I went to the orthadentist before I was 17 (might be different somehow) and they said after you would have to say for yourself. Braces aren't necessary so I very much doubt you can get discount and the man would have said something.

Reply 8

Lizj

10

Syres4me

Oh ok. That's a shame :frown:

. Guess I'll have to put that on back burner...... Just out of interest do you know what the HC1 covers (in terms of discounts other than dental care)?

The HC1 gets you free prescriptions, eye tests and basic NHS dental care. Also a free wig and a truss should you find you need one!

Reply 9

Luize

13

If you fill in the help with healthcare form (HC1) you may not get everything free depending on how much money you are getting, but you may be able to get help with the costs so things are discounted.
Braces won't be included. To be honest unless your teeth are really wonky I don't see the point, my teeth moved back after I had my brace even with wearing the retainer.

Reply 10

kookabura

13

It is worth getting a HC1 form and filling it in to see if you get any help towards healthcare costs, although as people have said it probably wouldn't cover braces (esp if it is only that you want them, not that your dentist has said you 'need' them).

I thought that your HC1 took parents income into account as well, as I'm sure thats the reason that I wasn't allowed any. I have moved back home since, but I was in halls at the time and only earning a tiny bit from a saturday job, but wasn't allowed any and I was sure it was that my parents were classed as being able to contribute or some such rubbish. Although I may be remembering it wrong.

Reply 11

DJDJ

1

errrrrrmmmmmmmm, i got braces put on when i was almost 19, as i was/am a student it was free.

Reply 12

DJDJ

1

oh, and it was for 'cosmetic' reasons.

Reply 13

Syres4me

OP

2

DJDJ

errrrrrmmmmmmmm, i got braces put on when i was almost 19, as i was/am a student it was free.

But surely you must have had your appointments with your doctor BEFORE you where 18 right (since the waiting list on the NHS is quite long for these things it meant you got them put in after 18, like someone else said, hence they were free)?

Reply 14

DJDJ

1

No, i had the appointment when i was 18, i was almost 19 which is the cut off date for free treatment, because of that my dentist booked an appointment to fit the braces on the next day (a few days before my BD, and thus turn 19).

I went for a routine check up, while i was there i asked the dentist to see if it would be beneficial for me to have braces (as one of my teeth was slightly crooked), she said it would 'be nice to get it done', so i did, the next day infact. 6 months later my teeth are nice and straight! if i was you (and you're 18) id go see your dentist asap. oh, i didn't have to fill out any of these forms either.

Reply 15

Ronove

18

DJDJ

No, i had the appointment when i was 18, i was almost 19 which is the cut off date for free treatment, because of that my dentist booked an appointment to fit the braces on the next day (a few days before my BD, and thus turn 19).

I went for a routine check up, while i was there i asked the dentist to see if it would be beneficial for me to have braces (as one of my teeth was slightly crooked), she said it would 'be nice to get it done', so i did, the next day infact. 6 months later my teeth are nice and straight! if i was you (and you're 18) id go see your dentist asap. oh, i didn't have to fill out any of these forms either.

How long ago was the first appointment? Cos the rules changed around the time I had my first appointment. If they hadn't I would have been ok to wait a bit longer I think. OP, I think you should just go and ask your dentist or go into a local orthodontist's and ask them. :s-smilie:

Reply 16

Syres4me

OP

2

Damn! I'm past 19 anyways (I thought the cut off point was 18 or I would have had them done by now).

Reply 17

Ronove

18

Syres4me

Damn! I'm past 19 anyways (I thought the cut off point was 18 or I would have had them done by now).

Yeah, the cut off point was changed to 18 when I first had them put in (as already mentioned). I'm not too sure how much good mine'll have done after a while of having them off. I did have one tooth in particular that stuck out a little, and I really noticed the difference when it had been moved back a bit... I don't suppose that'll go back to how it was. So I guess it was worth it if only for just that one tooth to line up.

Reply 18

Syres4me

OP

2

Ronove

Yeah, the cut off point was changed to 18 when I first had them put in (as already mentioned). I'm not too sure how much good mine'll have done after a while of having them off. I did have one tooth in particular that stuck out a little, and I really noticed the difference when it had been moved back a bit... I don't suppose that'll go back to how it was. So I guess it was worth it if only for just that one tooth to line up.

Hmmm. I don't think there's anything "wrong" with my teeth, in the tradtional sense (I don't have any fangs and my teeth ain't crooked), it just that my teeth are kind of gappy and spacy (there are gaps inbetween all of the top set of my teeth up to my molars and HUGE gaps inbetween the last incisor and the canines on either side of the bottom set of my teeth, if you know what I mean). I just wanted to get them gaps closed up.

Reply 19

monkeyru

this is sort of linked but do you know what the cut off point income wise for free prescriptions/sight tests etc?? i heard somewhere it was £8000 of savings and mine is just creeping over that limit. i got some expensive glasses recently thinking i would get the lenses free.

Do students get discounts on dental care (braces inparticular)?

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