[Margaret Pilkington]

You have to be on pension credits or some other benefits to get free dental treatment.
A check up for me at 68 costs just short of £20.....,if I need any treatment after my check up then that is charged on a 'band system' but the first band is £50 or thereabouts.

Much more worrying in relation to NHS costs is those who come from abroad and should be subject to costs, but fail to pay.
I know of some families who bring their elderly parents and grandparents into the country in order for them to get medical treatment without charge......and then when these are going home home go back with a bagful of medications for which they have paid nothing.
They tell the GP that they are going to be out of the country for 3 months or so......and prescriptions are issued.
You and I will only get a script for a month at a time.