Dental scheme for 11 to 21 year olds
The Jersey Dental Fitness Scheme can help towards the cost of dental treatment for young people between the ages of 11 and 21.
You may be eligible to join the Jersey Dental Scheme if:
- you are between 11 and 18, or 21 if you remain in full-time education
- the total annual family income (that of parents or guardians) is below a certain limit
- you have lived in Jersey for a continuous period of at least 5 years, or have been in full-time education in Jersey for at least 2 years
- a dentist is willing to have you as a patient in the scheme
Please note: if you are between 16 and 18, are working, and are living in the family home, it is your own income which is considered.
How do I join the scheme?
You should choose a dentist and make an appointment mentioning the Jersey Dental Scheme. At the appointment, the dentist will examine your teeth to see if you are dentally fit. There may be a charge for this initial appointment.
If you are dentally fit, and your dentist agrees to treat you under the scheme, then you will need to complete an application form. Your dentist must complete part 2 of the form.
As soon as you receive details of your membership of the scheme, all you have to do is make regular appointments to see your dentist.
You will be charged monthly once you have joined the scheme. The States will pay part of the monthly fee and you will pay the rest. This monthly fee covers all routine treatment while you are in the scheme.
How do I pay the monthly fee?
There are 3 ways to pay the monthly fee:
- by direct debit. Fill in the 'instructions to your bank' section on your application form, and the payment will automatically be paid from your bank account each month
- by cheque, if paying for 6 months or a year in advance. Cheques should be made payable to the Jersey Dental Scheme
- by cash, which can be paid into any branch of HSBC Bank using the paying-in slips we will give you
Please note: if you make your cash payment at any bank other than HSBC, you may be charged. You cannot claim this back from the scheme.
If you fall behind in your monthly payments by 2 months you will no longer be a member of the scheme.
You will have to pay the full price for all further treatment.
What dental care is covered under the scheme?
The scheme covers all routine dental care. This includes all of the following treatments (if given in normal surgery hours):
- examination and report (including all necessary scaling and polishing of teeth and treatment of sensitive dentine)
- routine x-rays taken inside the mouth
- emergency first aid treatment of a dying tooth
- treatment of acute infection or pain
- re-cementing a crown or inlay
- re-cementing a bridge
- construction and fitting of a temporary crown
- stopping abnormal bleeding (including aftercare and removing stitches)
- easing of dentures (not including laboratory fees)
- removing stitches put in by another dentist
- routine extractions under local anaesthetic
- routine preventative dentistry
- routine fillings
What dental care is not covered?
The following treatments are not covered under the scheme:
- crowns or bridges
- dentures (making or adding to)
- surgical removal of impacted wisdom teeth
- general anaesthesia
- root fillings
- straightening of teeth
- minor oral surgery
- cosmetic surgery
If you receive any of these treatments you will have to pay the full cost of the treatment.
Are all dentists involved in the scheme?
Most dentists are involved in the scheme. Please contact the Jersey Dental Scheme for a list of dentists taking part in the scheme.
Can I change dentists once I've joined the scheme?
You can change your dentist once you've joined the scheme.
You need to send us a new application form filled in by yourself and your new dentist, and tell us that you will no longer be seeing your old dentist.
What if I want to leave the scheme?
If you want to leave the scheme, write to us. We will let your dentist know and you will be charged for all further treatment in the usual way.