An "unfair" fine for a dentist has been examined by a watchdog

The public expenditure control body must investigate unjustly imposed fines on hundreds of thousands of people who go to the dentist.

The National Audit Office is conducting an investigation into the penalties imposed by the NHS in England, which targets people suspected of claiming free treatment.

The BBC revealed how many vulnerable people were fined £ 100 by the end of 2017.

The British Dental Association (BDA) warned that it scared poor families to go to the dentist.

Dentists' organizations said the latest figures show that nearly 430,000 people face fines – which they say is often "just for ticking the wrong box on the claim forms".

"Low income and old people"

According to dentists, many of those fined have "very low incomes, old people and learning difficulties".

BDA states that when these fines are challenged, approximately nine out of ten are canceled.

But they worry that many people are so worried about the risk of being fined that they do not get dental treatment.

The BBC highlighted the concerns of many families who found that very old parents, who may have dementia or learning disabilities, were fined while receiving free treatment.

The increasing magnitude of the problem has begun to appear – as well as its impact on the poorest patients.

According to the BDA, the number of consultations among people entitled to free treatment has decreased by almost a quarter over the past four years.

Compared with five years ago, the number of fines has increased tenfold.

& # 39; Hostile environment & # 39;

The National Audit Office must review the operation of the NHS penalty system: how much are issued, the right to exemptions and the revenues generated by the fines.

Charlotte Waite, Chair of the BDA Community Dental Services Committee, welcomed the survey and said that a simple mistake in an application form should not result in a £ 100 fine .

"The government 's approach to fines has affected hundreds of thousands of vulnerable patients and has encouraged millions of others to miss care.

"Yes, we need a system to protect taxpayer money, but that does not mean building a hostile environment for patients, many of whom have complex needs," he said. said Ms. Waite.

The Ministry of Health and Social Affairs argued that everyone should receive free dental treatment from the NHS if they qualify.

But he said that it was right that he was seeking to recover money from anyone who falsely claims free services.