# Do I get free prescriptions and dental care while pregnant? | Clever Mum

> Yes — every pregnant woman in the UK gets free NHS prescriptions and free NHS dental treatment, regardless of income. You need a Maternity Exemption

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#  Do I get free prescriptions and dental care while pregnant? 

    
 
Quick answer — Do I get free prescriptions and dental care while pregnant? 

 
Yes — every pregnant woman in the UK gets free NHS prescriptions and free NHS dental treatment, regardless of income. You need a Maternity Exemption Certificate (MatEx), which your midwife or GP arranges — it usually takes a few weeks to arrive, so ask early in pregnancy. It stays valid throughout pregnancy and for 12 months after your baby is born.

   
## What it actually covers

A MatEx certificate gets you free NHS prescriptions (any medication, not just pregnancy-related) and free NHS dental treatment (check-ups, fillings, and other NHS dental work) for the duration of pregnancy and a full 12 months after birth — regardless of your income or employment status. This is separate from, and doesn't require, any benefits claim.

## How to get one

Ask your GP or midwife at an early appointment — they'll give you an FW8 form to complete, which they countersign to confirm the pregnancy, and it's sent off for you. The certificate itself can take a few weeks to arrive, so it's worth starting the process as soon as you can rather than waiting until you need a prescription.

## In the gap before it arrives

If you need a prescription before your MatEx certificate arrives, ask your pharmacist — you can usually sign a form at the point of collection declaring you're pregnant and awaiting the certificate, which still gets you the prescription free while it's processed.

   
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