[NHS Dentistry] How much !?!?

[hypercheaptraveller]

Hi,

I finally managed just over a year ago to join an NHS Dentist.

In my area there are many but every time you call them they say that they reached quota as NHS and they are only willing to accept as private.

Anyway I have been for a checkup last November and I called asking: "Can I book an appointment for a regular checkup and a polish/scaling ?"

I was replied that I had to book 2 different appointments, one for the checkup and one for the scaling/polish. It is a huge problem for me to get time off work to go to the dentist, so I was very disappointed that I couldn't do everything in a single appointment.

Eventually I went through both appointments paying a Band 1 charge for each one (they lasted less than 10 minutes the first, and less than 20 the second !).

I THEN RECEIVED a letter saying that I had a balance overdue that I had to pay !!! - I then had to go to the office to settle it and asked what was it as I had ALREADY paid the two Band 1 charges. They said it was for the 2 X-Rays I had in the first appointment (charged about 6.50£ each). --- I am now wondering as I tought the X-Rays were includede in Band 1 charge !

I had a problem with a wisdom tooth so I called again for an appointment in July asking: "Can I have an appointment for a checkup and MAYBE a polish as I have a problem with my Wisdom tooth ?" Again I was told I virtually needed 3 different appointments: Checkup, Polish and Wisdom T. treatment.

I went and this time there was another Dentist as the previous had left and I vented to her that if with the NHS I couldn't consolidate multiple "short" treatments into a single appointment I was going to move to private (within the same practice) as it was costing more both in charges (nearly) and in time off work.

AS SOON as I said that the atmosphere in the room changed - and I was checked over and over, x-rays, polish etc. all in the same appointment (under NHS). I don't know if this is because I was a potential new private client (not typical in my area ..) or just because she was a honest dentist.

Anyway I had a new appointment scheduled for a filling (the Wisdom tooth problem solved by itself as it takes 1 month each time to get an appointment). At this time I was asked if I wanted amalgam or composite (white filling). I wanted white filling.

She said that under NHS it's amalgam and white fillings are only available in the front teeths, otherwise is chargable.

I asked how much it was ... and it was NHS Charge Band 2 (I suppose) PLUS 46£ - I find it a bit exaggerate from a low level practice with 90% NHS patients working in a degraded area ...... with not-such-great treatment facilities.
:confused:
My question is:
- How much did you pay for white fillings ?
-- Privately ?
-- NHS (Free even if in back tooth ?; Difference ?; Full charge ?)
-- Is it normal that dentist are cheecky bas... ?:mad: [I got my appointment (scheduled "ASAP" a month ago) cancelled this morning a few hours in advance as they put it in the wrong dentist Agenda]
-- Do you pay for X-Rays separately in Band 1 treatment ?

I couldn't find detailed documentations from the NHS or DoH websites about the specifics of charges.

Thank you.

Nick :A

[Toothsmith]

This sort-of sums up all I dislike about NHS dentistry, and probably some of the dentists who still offer it!

You should only pay 1 Band one charge for your examination, clean-up and X-ray. Not one charge for each item.

They're pulling a fast one - pure and simple, and I would get onto the PCT if I were you to let them know what's going on.

Secondly - how on earth can a practice that's soooo busy POSSIBLY have the time to do a white filling with anywhere near the care and attention necessary in order to give it a change of lasting a decent length of time, and not leaking and rotting the rest of the tooth within a few years?

Why do people wait and wait until they are 'lucky' enough to get a place in a practice like this?

Investigate the other options in your locality.

Private dentistry has to survive in the area it lives in. There are no super-rich cohort of Porsche owning patients who drive round looking for private practices. Private dentists live (or die) by providing a decent value-for-money service to the people who live in their locality and value a good honest service based on a fair fee for the work.

Look for a practice which ISN'T NHS and attracts patients on the service it provides and the work it produces.

You'll find it much better value for money in the long term.

Places that are 'NHS' just to suck people through the door, then sting them with incorrect NHS charges, or push poor-quality private work should be avoided, but if you're unfortunate enough to come across them - complain, complain, complain!

[tirednewdad]

This sort-of sums up all I dislike about NHS dentistry, and probably some of the dentists who still offer it!

You should only pay 1 Band one charge for your examination, clean-up and X-ray. Not one charge for each item.

They're pulling a fast one - pure and simple, and I would get onto the PCT if I were you to let them know what's going on.

Secondly - how on earth can a practice that's soooo busy POSSIBLY have the time to do a white filling with anywhere near the care and attention necessary in order to give it a change of lasting a decent length of time, and not leaking and rotting the rest of the tooth within a few years?

Why do people wait and wait until they are 'lucky' enough to get a place in a practice like this?

Investigate the other options in your locality.

Private dentistry has to survive in the area it lives in. There are no super-rich cohort of Porsche owning patients who drive round looking for private practices. Private dentists live (or die) by providing a decent value-for-money service to the people who live in their locality and value a good honest service based on a fair fee for the work.

Look for a practice which ISN'T NHS and attracts patients on the service it provides and the work it produces.

You'll find it much better value for money in the long term.

Places that are 'NHS' just to suck people through the door, then sting them with incorrect NHS charges, or push poor-quality private work should be avoided, but if you're unfortunate enough to come across them - complain, complain, complain!

Although you are not incorrect in what you say, It is important to say that there are alot of good, fair NHS dentists who work within a very poor system and try to make it work.
I am however worried about the number of cases i read about the abuse of the band system that occurs.

[Surfbabe]

I've (I@ve) just got back from an emergency appointment at dentist - i ahve to go for a root canal treatment on Friday - cost £44.60. (The same treatment for my sister in the USA is $1200) - ironically its exactly the same tooth for both of us !!!!!

[Toothsmith]

I've just got back from an emergency appointment at dentist - i ahve to go for a root canal treatment on Friday - cost £44.60. (The same treatment for my sister in the USA is $1200) - ironically its exactly the same tooth for both of us !!!!!


Be interesting to see who's is the least trouble and lasts the longest after treatment.

[Toothsmith]

Although you are not incorrect in what you say, It is important to say that there are alot of good, fair NHS dentists who work within a very poor system and try to make it work.
I am however worried about the number of cases i read about the abuse of the band system that occurs.

But as the evidence stacks up as to the sorts of treatment that are now being provided on the NHS, my sympathies with the remaining NHS ones is being sorely stretched.

I'm sure there are some good NHS dentists still out there, but if they are forced to think about points in order to stay in business, something has to give with all of them very soon.

The points system, and patients best interests rarely come up with the same treatment plan.

[tirednewdad]

Agreed. You will often get a different treatment plan from an NHS dentist in the months approaching April (when the total points are counted) compared to plans later in the year.

[hypercheaptraveller]

Hi,

Thanks a lot to all for your input. Especially Toothsmith.
I was unsure about what was going on, but you opened my eyes. I am now going to ask for a "statement" of all my treatments and payments to understand better.

I have spoken to a colleague of mine who goes to a private practice and he pays LESS than me for the same treatments. ..........

It is not about the money .. but I am tired of all this ""pulling one"" out of customers -> I will prefer to pay more with a private one instead of this with an NHS one.

Regards,

hyper c. traveller