IB/free dental care

Does anyone know if you are entitled to free dental care (in Scotland) while on IB? Someone I know has been on IB for the past 10 years and has always got free dental care. Last month he went to the dentist and they asked him to fill in a form and state what benefit he gets. He told her he gets IB but it wasn't on the form and she said just to tick ESA because it's the same thing. He has now received a letter from NHS Scotland saying that they have checked their records and he doesn't receive ESA! He phoned their helpline and explained and they said he still has to pay because people on IB are not excempt. Why does he have to pay now but he didn't before (his circumstances haven't changed), is it a new rule or something, or should he have been paying all those years although he was totally honest with them?

Thanks, Gordon.

Many people believe they have been entitled to free dental/prescriptions when on either IB or DLA mobility or and care. This is not so, when on any of these benefits you are expected to pay for your dental treatment and your prescriptions unless you have a med cert to say differently or are on IS etc. It is always best to ask first as you may be fined a considerable amount as it constitutes fraud.

Some people automatically get free prescriptions. Certain people can get an exemption certificate to obtain free prescriptions. Also, anyone needing regular prescriptions may save money by buying a Prescription Prepayment Certificate. Note: prescriptions are free to all in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Full details of Free or Reduced Cost Prescriptions a superb and well written
article on Patient UK.