Low income - 16 years old - NHS costs.

[HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend]

DC earns a low apprenticeship wage £7.55ph

Dc has applied for help with NHS charges and has received a reply that they are not entitled to any help at all.

They will have to pay full dental, dr and eye care.

AIBU to think this is wrong?

I take it back. OP.

Do apprentices pay for dental treatment?

AI Overview

Yes, apprentices may have to pay for dentist treatment as they are generally not entitled to free NHS dental care unless they meet the age and education criteria(under 18, or under 19 and in full-time education). Since apprenticeships are not considered full-time education, an apprentice over 18 would likely have to pay for treatment, though they may be eligible for help through the NHS Low Income Scheme or if their parents receive certain benefits.

Eligibility for free NHS dental treatment
You are entitled to free NHS dental treatment if you are under 18.
You are also entitled to free NHS dental treatment if you are under 19 and in full-time education.
Workplace apprenticeships are not considered full-time education for this purpose, so an apprentice over 18 will not automatically be exempt from charges.

So OP, actually an apprentice under 18 should not have to pay according to the NHS website.

I would contact the dentist to clarify.

This is the page you need on the NHS website.
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/who-can-get-free-nhs-dental-treatment/
All under 18s get free treatment, and also it says that if the course of treatment was started when they were under 18 it is all free - sounds like braces may be free however long they last.
I think that the question you asked the NHS was wrong ie is he entitled to free dental treatment due to low income and they just told you the answer to that question, rather than is the actual question of is he entitled to free dental treatment for being under 18 (or at all!). Absolutely do not pay.

All under 18s get free dental care, and then it extends to 19 if in full time education.
you only need to complete the hc2 certificate if you are claiming for low income. Your son isn’t, he is claiming free treatment as he is under 18 so his birth certificate is proof enough!

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/who-can-get-free-nhs-dental-treatment/