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Free Dental Treatment For Children?
mancitychick
Posts: 977 Forumite
Hi
I am slightly confused and wondering if anyone can help.
My son who is 7 has sensitive back teeth. The dentist said the enamel hasn't formed properly on his back teeth but to try using a flouride mouth wash for 6 weeks if it didn't work to come back and he could put a fissue seal on his back teeth.
Now I had this seal done when I was 7 and so did all my class mates, but apparently this is something they did in the seventies and eighties to everyone, whereas now they only do it to children who need it.
I.E. Children whos teeth are decaying as they are not looked after or children like mine who has a problem with their teeth but the teeth have been well looked after.
Anyway we go back after 6 weeks as the mouth wash has not worked and the dentist says that he can put the seal on if I want, so I say go ahead. As he is about to start he tells me it will be £12 per tooth - £48 in total :eek:
I told him I thought children were free under NHS and he said that the NHS only pay for fissue seal for children with decaying teeth.
I paid it, but what I want to know is was he right? How can I find out whether or not the NHS would of paid for this?
I am slightly confused and wondering if anyone can help.
My son who is 7 has sensitive back teeth. The dentist said the enamel hasn't formed properly on his back teeth but to try using a flouride mouth wash for 6 weeks if it didn't work to come back and he could put a fissue seal on his back teeth.
Now I had this seal done when I was 7 and so did all my class mates, but apparently this is something they did in the seventies and eighties to everyone, whereas now they only do it to children who need it.
I.E. Children whos teeth are decaying as they are not looked after or children like mine who has a problem with their teeth but the teeth have been well looked after.
Anyway we go back after 6 weeks as the mouth wash has not worked and the dentist says that he can put the seal on if I want, so I say go ahead. As he is about to start he tells me it will be £12 per tooth - £48 in total :eek:
I told him I thought children were free under NHS and he said that the NHS only pay for fissue seal for children with decaying teeth.
I paid it, but what I want to know is was he right? How can I find out whether or not the NHS would of paid for this?
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Comments
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My grandaughter had that done for the same reason as your childs. Had it twice on 2 teeth and it cost £54 ! the dentist said it wasn't available under the NHS. Didn't give the other reasons about decayed teeth.0
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bit of a strange one this really,your dentist is right it can be done on the nhs but only if decay has started .................as part of treatment to prevent further decay,but not as preventative,daft ain't it .0
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So the NHS would pay for more expensive fillings but not for something to prevent these more expensive fillings.
it's a crazy system we have.0 -
I could just about swallow it if I had asked for the treatment and there was no need for it, but there is a problem with his teeth and this was the only treatment available. Arghhhh.0
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Same as Phoebe. Same as a lot of other things if you look after yourself you don't get any help. If you neglect yourself you get help!0
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Spot on there Maisie. If I had left his teeth to rot they would be happy to pick up the bill for all the fillings & teeth out etc..0
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mancitychick wrote:I could just about swallow it if I had asked for the treatment and there was no need for it, but there is a problem with his teeth and this was the only treatment available. Arghhhh.
I'd be looking for a more sympathetic dentist ,I'm sure he /she could of done this as it was needed ,seems they were just following the guidelines too rigidly0 -
This thread highlights perfectly the complete **** up that is NHS dentistry.
BFG's point is very well made, but doesn't pick up the true depths to which it has sunk. You are not looking for a dentist who will work for free, you are looking for one who will MAKE A LOSS. In effect you are looking for one who is prepared to dig into his own pocket to pay for your child's treatment.
Technically you are correct, all treatment necessary to secure and maintain oral health is availabe on the NHS to a registered NHS patient. This is why fissure sealents normally fall outside this. If your kids teeth aren't decayed, then he's orally healthy, and nothing is NEEDED. If decay has started, then it is needed, but technically, it is too late for FS. So, on the NHS, entirely inappropriate treatment is being funded by the taxpayer!
As your kids teeth are sensitive, then there is a case to be argued that this treatment WAS necessary, and should have been provided, especially as the dentist said it was necessary. (Has it cured things BTW?). You could approach the dentist and quote the phrase I've highlighted above. This is a key phrase from our contract. He will see from that that you know what you're talking about! If he doesn't change his position, you could ask for the practices complaints proceedure, and if you get no satisfaction through that, take the complaint to the local Primary Care Trust (PCT) it will be the PCT local to the dental practice, rather than the one local to you (If there is a difference) that you will need to contact.
Bear in mind though, that it may become necessary to change dentist if the complaint gets too nasty.
Due to the way the NHS contract is going to change next April, I am currently trying to persuade as many parents as possible to change their kids onto a Junior private scheme I have. It could well be that most kids with well looked after mouths get even less on the NHS in future.How to find a dentist.
1. Get recommendations from friends/family/neighbours/etc.
2. Once you have a short-list, VISIT the practices - dont just phone. Go on the pretext of getting a Practice Leaflet.
3. Assess the helpfulness of the staff and the level of the facilities.
4. Only book initial appointment when you find a place you are happy with.0 -
Just wondered. Why would it make a loss? Is that because the NHS would pay less than the charge being made?0
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