Full list of people who can get free dental treatment worth up to £326.70

Looking after your teeth can hit the wallet hard. Even with regular brushing, a trip to the dentist is still a must for most.

With a dentist shortage leaving many having to turn towards private care, there are still millions of people able to get their treatment on the . But unlike a GP you still have to pay for NHS dental services.

And it is not exactly cheap with NHS prices ranging from £27.40 for a check-up to a hefty £326.70 for more extensive work like crowns or dentures. The NHS makes it clear - most adults will have to pay for dental visits or procedures, with costs varying based on the treatment required.

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It states: "If you pay for NHS dental treatment, the cost depends on what treatment the dental healthcare professional thinks you need. The dental professional should tell you how much it will cost before they start any treatment."

Dental treatments fall into three price bands, each with its own cost. The NHS guidance is: "If you need a mix of treatments from different bands, you'll pay for the cost of the highest band of treatment you're having. If you need a mix of treatments from the same band, you'll only pay the band charge once.", reports .

Who gets free NHS dental care in England

There are five different groups of people who can get free NHS dental appointments and treatment. These are:

• you're aged under 18, or under 19 and in full-time education
• you're pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months
• you've had a stillbirth in the past 12 months
• you're getting treatment in an NHS hospital from a hospital dentist (but you may still need to pay for dentures or bridges)
• you receive War Pension Scheme payments, or Armed Forces Compensation Scheme payments and the treatment is for your accepted disability

Another six groups of individuals also do not have to pay. You can also get free NHS dental treatment if you or your partner receive certain benefits including:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
• Pension Credit Guarantee Credit with Savings Credit
• Universal Credit – but only if your income is below a certain amount

If you or your partner receive benefits that mean you can get free dental treatment from the NHS, your dependents aged under 20 can also get free dental treatment.

Getting free treatment

The NHS advises people: "If you're eligible, you can only get free NHS dental treatment. You'll need to pay for any private dental treatment.

"Depending on the reason, you'll need to give your dentist proof that you can get free NHS dental treatment." Examples of proof include:

• a valid HC2 certificate –
• your birth certificate
• a valid maternity exemption certificate (MatB1)
• a notification of birth form, or your baby's birth certificate
• a stillbirth certificate

If you receive War Pension Scheme or Compensation Scheme payments and get free dental treatment, you'll usually need to pay for it yourself first and claim the money back from Veterans UK.

Who can get help with some dental costs

If you're not eligible for free NHS dental treatment and you're on a low income, you may still be able to get help with paying part of the cost from the NHS Low Income Scheme. If you get help from the NHS Low Income Scheme, you'll get an HC3 certificate which will show how much you'll pay for dental treatment. You'll need to show your HC3 certificate to your dentist.