MATB1 and dental cover

[sophiaslullaby]

I know my dental treatment is free for a year after DS's birth, but is a filling free? What does the MATB1 form cover exactly? I can't seem to find a straight answer. My dentist didn't charge me for the check-up but have billed for the filling.

As far as I'm aware, all NHS dental treatment is free when pregnant and for a year after birth.
http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/are-pregnant-women-entitled-to-free-NHS-dental-treatment.aspx
I've never had to provide my matb1 though - that went straight to my employer. The above link should tell you what you need.

The NHS won't cover a white filling unless it's on a front tooth. So it could have been that

I've only told the dentist I'm pregnant snd all she wanted was my due date. I've had lots of fillings during pregnancy which were all free

Thankyou for all replies :-) It is a white filling but a back tooth so maybe that's why it's not covered, makes sense.

Yes that definitely will be why :)

Yes it would have been free if you had a normal amalgam filling. It was a bit unethical for the dentist not to make this clear to you. Would you have accepted a non-white filling if you had known it was free?

I would normally go for a white but if I'd known the cost difference then yes, I think I'd have gone with the black filling :-/

I think you're confusing the matb1 form with the maternity exemption card.

Matb1 is handed to your employer to claim SMP.

Slightly off topic but my DSister's NHS dentist refused to give her free treatment as she was an existing patient so she ended up changing to someone else. Just seemed completely odd!

I think I am...I was never offer Mat exemption card (admittedly I never pushed for it as get prescriptions due to pre-existing condition) but this is why i ask here as there seems to be confused about. So I need an exemtion card? I did tell the dentist I was 4 months into my maternity (baby in pushchair to prove it!) but they never asked for any paperwork, just told me to tick a box and sign...

I couldn't get into an NHS last time I was pregnant - all the ones who said they were accepting patients either said they weren't or that they were only accepting children when I phoned. I phoned around fortnightly for months.

Re: exemption card. Mine came in the post so just ask your midwife where yours is!

You can get an exemption card application over the counter at most GPs.

You need to apply for the maternity exemption using a form from your GP, midwife or HV - FW8 form

Thanks all for this advice - SO much more helpful than the HV, which I'm sure was her job to inform me....
Will stop buy the GP tomorrow and pick up a form (FW8 you say?)

Yes it is an FW8 form. Think the GP/midwife/HV has to sign the form too