Free dental check-ups for children

Friday 20 May 2022

Children will be entitled to one free dental check-up per year until their 18th birthday thanks to a redistribution of the family allowance budget.

In addition to the free dental check-ups, emergency departments visits and GP visits for children will be £25 and a visit to a practice nurse will be £15.

The Committee for Health & Social Care hopes parents and guardians will be encouraged to take up the annual check-up at a dentist of their choice. The child’s social security number (starting “GY”) will need to be provided at the time of booking and you must state that you are booking the “States’ annual dental check-up”.

Pictured: Children's emergency department visits will be £25, regardless of subsequent treatment required. 

Special needs children, Looked After Children and families in receipt of income support may still access their check-up through the Children’s Dental Service. 

Any child requiring restorative treatment, including fillings, can be referred by their dentist to the Children’s Dental Service and receive the treatment free of charge up to their 12th birthday. 

Specialist in Children’s Dentistry and Head of Department for the Children’s Dental Service, Sarah Lyle, said: “It’s much easier to prevent cavities than to treat them, which is why it’s fantastic that we are able to provide free annual dental check-ups for all children under 18. 

“If you haven’t already taken advantage of the free annual check-up, I’d strongly encourage all parents and guardians to do so for the benefit of your child’s dental health.”

The new emergency department set fee of £25 will be payable at the time of consultation, regardless of whether children are covered by private medical insurance, however the amount will cover all subsequent treatment provided. 

Islanders on income support will continue to have their attendance and consultation funded by Employment & Social Security and, therefore, will not need to pay for their consultation at the time. This is part of a wider initiative to encourage all those attending the Emergency Department to pay on the day. 

Pictured: Children will be entitled to a free dental check up every year until they are 18. 

President of the Committee for Health & Social Care, Deputy Al Brouard, said the Committee hoped the subsidies will “ensure that income isn’t a barrier to accessing healthcare for children”.

“Now we really want to get the message out about these changes. We want parents and guardians to book the free annual dental check-up for their children,” he said. 

“We want people to know that it’s now much cheaper if your child needs to go to the Emergency Department or to the GP or practice nurse.”

The redistribution of family allowance and introduction of health subsidies and education provision were agreed by the States in August 2020. 

Pictured: Children's GP appointments will be £25 and nurse visits £15.

Anyone who was in receipt of family allowance prior to 3 January 2022 whose allowance has now stopped and is not sure why can email pensionsallowances@gov.gg, call 222506 or find more information HERE.