To get free NHS dental treatment, you must have:

• a MATB1 certificate issued by your midwife or GP
• a valid prescription maternity exemption certificate (MatEx) 

Applying for a maternity exemption certificate

You can apply for a maternity exemption certificate using the application form FW8, available from your midwife, GP or health visitor. They will also need to sign the form.

The certificate is valid from one month before the date that the application is received until:

• 12 months after the expected date of the baby's birth
• if the baby has already been born, 12 months after their date of birth

After your baby is born

You're also entitled to free NHS dental treatment for 12 months after your baby is born. To prove your entitlement, you will need to show:

• a valid maternity exemption certificate
• a notification of birth form – the midwife who delivers your baby will give you this form
• your baby's birth certificate

If you did not apply for a maternity exemption certificate while you were pregnant, you can still apply at any time during the 12 months after your baby is born.

Loss of pregnancy

If you lose your baby after the 24th week of your pregnancy (your baby is stillborn), you will continue to be entitled to free NHS dental treatment for 12 months.

To prove your entitlement, you will need to show the stillbirth certificate issued by your local registrar of births, marriages and deaths.