No. Having diabetes does not give you free NHS dental treatment in England. This is true for type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and whether or not you take insulin. You pay the normal NHS charges unless you qualify for free treatment in another way.
This surprises many people, because diabetes does give you free prescriptions. The two rules are separate.
Why free prescriptions do not mean free dental care
If you treat your diabetes with medicine, you can get a medical exemption certificate (MedEx). This does not apply if you control your diabetes by diet alone. The certificate gives you free NHS prescriptions for 10 years.
A medical exemption certificate only covers prescriptions. It does not cover dental treatment or glasses. No medical condition gives you free NHS dental treatment on its own.
If you are not exempt, you pay the same as anyone else. In 2026/27 that is £27.90 for a check-up (Band 1), £76.60 if you need fillings or an extraction (Band 2), and £332.10 for crowns, bridges or dentures (Band 3). Our NHS dental charges guide explains what each one covers.
How people with diabetes can still get it free
You get free NHS dental treatment if you qualify in one of the usual ways. The most common ones for people with diabetes are:
- You get a qualifying benefit. If diabetes affects your work, you may get income-related Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit. Universal Credit only counts if your earnings are under the limit.
- You have a low income. Apply to the NHS Low Income Scheme on form HC1. If you get an HC2 certificate, your treatment is free. An HC3 certificate gives partial help.
- You are pregnant or had a baby in the last 12 months. This includes women with gestational diabetes (diabetes that starts in pregnancy). Treatment is free for everyone in this group.
- You are 60 or over and get Pension Credit Guarantee Credit. See do over-60s get free dental treatment?
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Disability Living Allowance do not give free dental treatment on their own. For every group and the exact Universal Credit earnings limits, see is the NHS dentist free?
If you paid but were entitled to free treatment, you can claim the money back. Use form HC5(D) within 3 months of paying.
Why your teeth and gums matter more with diabetes
Diabetes and gum disease affect each other. NICE (the body that sets clinical guidance for the NHS in England) says adults with diabetes should be told 3 things:
- They have a higher risk of gum disease (periodontitis).
- They should have regular dental check-ups.
- If they get gum disease, treating it can help control their blood sugar.
NHS England also says that intensive gum treatment can lower HbA1c in some people. HbA1c is the blood test that shows your average blood sugar over the last 2-3 months.
Diabetes can cause other problems in the mouth too:
- Dry mouth. Less saliva means a higher risk of tooth decay.
- Slow healing after an extraction or gum treatment.
- Oral thrush, a fungal infection that causes white patches or soreness.
What to tell your dentist
Tell your dentist you have diabetes at your first visit. Tell them which medicines you take and what your latest HbA1c was. Update them when anything changes.
On the day of treatment, eat and take your medicine as normal, unless your dentist or diabetes team tells you otherwise. Bring something sugary with you in case your blood sugar drops (a hypo). If you take insulin, a morning appointment after breakfast is often easier to manage.
Ask the dentist to check your gums properly. If you see blood when you brush, tell them. Bleeding gums are often the first sign of gum disease.
If you have serious gum disease: NHS care pathways
Since 23 June 2026, the NHS in England offers “care pathways” for adults with a lot of dental disease. A care pathway is a planned course of treatment over 6 to 12 months. You may be offered one if you are 16 or over and the dentist finds:
- decay in 5 or more teeth, or
- decay in 5 or more teeth and unstable gum disease, or
- serious gum disease diagnosed for the first time.
Most people on a pathway pay one Band 2 charge (£76.60) for the whole pathway. NHS England says patients can save up to £225. The dentist decides whether you meet the criteria. If you have been told you have gum disease, ask whether a care pathway applies to you. Our guide to NHS dental care pathways explains who qualifies, what you get and what to ask.
How often to see the dentist
There is no fixed rule for people with diabetes. NICE guidance says the gap between check-ups should depend on your risk, from every 3 months to every 2 years. Your dentist sets it.
If your dentist suggests seeing you or the hygienist more often, it is usually because of your gums. On the NHS, a scale and polish is part of a Band 1 check-up when the dentist says you need one. Private hygienist visits in London have a median starting price of £75, based on the prices practices publish. See our London dental price list.
If cost stops you going, dental schools are another option. At Guy’s Hospital, undergraduate students give free routine treatment to adults, supervised by qualified dentists. It is not for complex cases, and a student clinic may not accept you if your medical conditions are complex. Our guide to affordable dental care in London lists the options.
Frequently asked questions
Do type 2 diabetics get free dental treatment?
No. Type 2 diabetes does not give free NHS dental treatment. You only get it free if you qualify another way, such as through a benefit or the Low Income Scheme.
Does a medical exemption certificate cover the dentist?
No. A medical exemption certificate (MedEx) only covers NHS prescriptions. It does not cover dental treatment or glasses.
Are diabetics on insulin entitled to free dental care?
No. Taking insulin gives you free prescriptions, but not free dental treatment.
Can diabetics get free dental check-ups?
Not in England, unless you qualify another way. In Scotland, NHS check-ups are free for everyone. In Wales, they are free if you are under 25 or 60 and over.
Charges are for England in 2026/27. They usually change each April.