I WAS given a letter from the NHS National Services Counter Fraud Service 0345 601 2912 (Patient Claims Team, 3 Bain Square, Livingston, West Lothian, EH54 7DQ) and also an NHSScotland, Counter Fraud Services leaflet, sent to a person with disabilities, in receipt of Employment Support Allowance (income-based) stating that s/he had received dental services free of charge, when in fact s/he should have paid £67.68.

On his/her income ie ESA (income based), s/he is entitled to free dental treatment, but this benefit is not listed on the dentists' forms.

The form lists Jobseekers Allowance and Income Support and there is a tick box for 'other'. However, the receptionists know nothing of the exempted benefits and have never heard of ESA, so they ask if ESA 'is like JSA'? or 'is it like Income Support'?

Obviously, it's like neither, so the receptionist just ticks the box for Income Support and probably many disabled people are receiving letters stating they have committed fraud.

I phoned the NHS Primary Care department which deal with this and they said they've had no calls about this. The reason is many people do not know they can anyone or where to call - or they just pay the charges as they assume the very frightening letter is correct.

Also, the dental form handed to the patient, in the dental surgery, is for the patient, to be completed by the patient, but the receptionists insist on completing the forms and calling out the questions to the patient in earshot of the entire waiting room.

If the person states that the benefit they receive is ESA, then the receptionist just ticks Income Support because they don't know what income related ESA is and they don't know if it is an exempted benefit (non-income-related ESA is not exempted) - and then the patient is sent a letter stating that they have committed fraud. I feel this matter needs dealt with.

CONCERNED.