UK imposes over 212,000 fines for improper free NHS dental treatment claims

More than 212,143 penalty charge notices were issued in 2025 for people incorrectly claiming free NHS dental treatment, a rise of over 40% from two years earlier. Fines can be up to £100 per incorrect claim.

Eligibility for free or partially‑free treatment is limited to recipients of certain benefits, and confusion has grown after many moved from Tax Credits to Universal Credit and assumed the same NHS benefits still apply. Dr Andrej Bozic, an oral surgeon at Dentum, warned that patients should verify their entitlement before visiting a dentist.

The NHS Business Services Authority released the data via a Freedom of Information request. Treatment costs for those not entitled to free care are split into three bands: £29.70 for basic examinations, £76.60 for procedures such as root canals, and £332.10 for more complex work. Access to NHS dental services remains uneven, with some areas described as "dental deserts," prompting patients to seek private or overseas care.