Question from Caroline Davis, London:
Can I get implants on the NHS?
I am missing some teeth both from the upper and lower jaws and was wondering if implants are covered by the NHS or will I have to pay for this kind of work?
In order to get the NHS to pay for dental implants the patient has to fulfil certain criteria. The patient would have to have acquired defects or have defects present from birth including severe hypodontia, cleft lip or cleft palate. Another qualifying condition would be tooth loss resulting from trauma such as a road accident or surgery for neck and head cancer. However, if a patient has suffered the trauma more than two years ago they may not qualify for dental implants on the NHS. Even if you do satisfy the criteria and the NHS pays for your implants, they cannot guarantee that any future treatment for the maintenance of the implants would be covered. If you had any problems with your dental implants, then you would have to make a new application form.
If you do not qualify under the above criteria, you could ask your dentist to refer you to a dental teaching hospital and maybe you will be covered this way.
