NHS free dental when pregnant?

[mommabear14]

Hello,

I have read that if you are pregnant or just had a baby, you can get free NHS dental care - Is this correct? If so, what do I do? Do I just show my MatEx or MATB1 form to my dentist?

You need a maternity exemption cert from your midwife, they can often do this by email but you need to be about 18 weeks so think

I didn't show any proof to my dentist when I was pregnant.

They always ask me when I arrive for each appointment whether I pay for my treatment, and while I was pregnant I just said 'not at the moment as I'm pregnant'. I had to sign a different form / different part of same form and that was that.

If you're an NHS patient, yes you can. Tell them, and you just check a box on a form. No need to show them anything. If you're private, then nothing changes there. Still need to pay unfortunately.

ETA: You need to have your exemption form done by your midwife first. If that hasn't been done, you'll be fined.

I asked about this and my dentist said they didn’t need any proof- I guess it was because I also registered my bang and will be taking my baby to the appointment.

I got my Mat. exemption certificate as soon as I booked with local midwifery team. I paid when went to dentist, then remembered I had it as I was walking out (just hadn't occurred to me, I blame baby brain!), went back to the desk and showed it to them and got a refund! So yes, def. works for NHS dentist!

You can get free dental up until baby is 1yo and you just need to show your exemption certificate.

The biggest challenge of course will be finding an NHS dentist with spaces to start with.

And what dental care is included?

You wouldn't get it round here. You would be entitled to it sure, but there are no private dentists. Dad has been on the few waiting lists that exist for three years

I phoned a local dentist recently that wasn't taking NHS patients but they said they tried to fit in people with exemptions so they kindly fit me in for a basic check up under my maternity exemption.
You can get the certificate through your GP or your midwife. My midwife applied for me online and it came through really quickly. My GP still use the paper form so it takes longer through them but it depends how long you have to wait for your midwife appointment.
You get free prescriptions too. Keep any receipts if you have to pay for any in the meantime. The pharmacy can give you a form to complete for this.

i think anything usually covered by the NHS (for which you’d usually pay, but less than you’d pay privately) would be covered. Assuming they can do it safety while you are pregnant of course. I imagine they avoid things like routine X-rays while you’re pregnant.

i had the same experience, dentist said they would do NHS only if you’re entitled to free treatment.

Normal dental care that would be provided on the NHS.
So check up, fillings, extractions etc. However as someone else mentioned they will avoid xrays when you are pregnant unless absolutely essential. And they may also try and avoid invasive treatment in the first trimester unless it's essential.
Things that are always private like cosmetic work, bleaching and braces are not covered obviously.

I always tell people to check what you are getting done is definitely covered. Because some people assume everything is. For example hygienists are normally always private so this will not be covered. You can however request an NHS scale from your dentist if it is deemed necessary.