Payments for dental work

Princess_Jane

Hello all,

I am about six months into a 12/18-month fixed brace through the NHS.

At the start of treatment I was told it would be about £180.

I assumed I'd be asked to pay once the treatment was finished, and I was happy, but at my appointment today, the dental nurse asked if I was going to make a payment in full, as I hadn't paid anything so far.

I explained I hadn't been asked to, but if it was a problem, I could pay via card at my next appointment.

She was really off with me, as if I'd breached some major dental etiquette.

Surely you make payment once the work is complete?

Or is there a proper way to do this that I am missing, given I haven't had an invoice/bill etc?

The amount charged is fine, I understand private work would cost thousands, I'm just a bit confused by the approach.

Toothsmith

Most NHS forms are written to state that payment may be asked for before treatment starts.

Different practices have different collection arrangements, there's no right or wrong way.

This is obviously some sort of misunderstanding. Just pay up next time.

BTW - I assume you're in Scotland or NI, as £180 isn't an English or Welsh NHS charge.

ZootHornRollo

theres signes up in my dental practice stating full payment should be made beofre treatment is complete.

They let you pay a bit each time you visit adn are usually ok for you to spread the payments a little if its expensive and you ask up front and also pay at least 50% before the treatment is finished.

Princess_Jane

Toothsmith wrote: »

Most NHS forms are written to state that payment may be asked for before treatment starts.

Different practices have different collection arrangements, there's no right or wrong way.

This is obviously some sort of misunderstanding. Just pay up next time.

BTW - I assume you're in Scotland or NI, as £180 isn't an English or Welsh NHS charge.

Hmm, I've never had any forms..and I am in England..

Princess_Jane

Thanks for all the info folks..def no signs up in the practice.

I'm paying on the CC as don't have £180 spare, so might as well pay in one go.

I just felt really bad when they brought it up, because all the dental nurses and the dentists were standing round while I tried to explain I didn't realise they were waiting for payment.

I've never had any dental treatment before other than check-ups so I wasn't sure what the procedure was - do you know in Holland if you have no fillings before your 18 birthday you get free dental treatment for life?

Toothsmith

Princess_Jane wrote: »

Hmm, I've never had any forms..and I am in England..

You must have signed something at some point at the start of treatment?

If all this started after April 06, then it would be under theBand 3 NHS charge of £195 (Which I suppose is 'about' £180 - but I don't know why they couldn't have told you exactly how much it would have been).

alison999

band three used to be £182, maybe its still the old charges? im suprised you havent had to pay yet as the practice will have had to lab costs as well as the usual costs of running the surgery

Princess_Jane

Toothsmith wrote: »

You must have signed something at some point at the start of treatment?

If all this started after April 06, then it would be under theBand 3 NHS charge of £195 (Which I suppose is 'about' £180 - but I don't know why they couldn't have told you exactly how much it would have been).

I had my consultation about three years before I actually started treatment - waiting lists in my area.

Perhaps I did sign something then..

It would have been great if I'd been given a leaflet giving information about payment.

If I'd known payment was expected before the end of treatment I would have spread the cost out.

Now I feel like I should pay the amount in full because the way it was raised totally put me on the back foot.

AAAah stupid money.

Princess_Jane

alison999 wrote: »

band three used to be £182, maybe its still the old charges? im suprised you havent had to pay yet as the practice will have had to lab costs as well as the usual costs of running the surgery

That's the problem, they were expecting payment, but I didn't realise.

I assumed it was like when your car goes in the garage, you pay once the work has been done.

That's the best analogy I can think of, comparing my mouth to a rusty banger, LOL.

Toothsmith

I think you're beating yourself up a bit much about this!

It just sounds like a simple misunderstanding. There may have been a few nurses/dentists at reception, but I really don't think they'd be there to scowl at you.

It's always a bit embarassing if you're unexpectedly asked for money, and if you're embarassed, you feel like the whole world is tittering and pointing at you.

I would ring up the practice, ask if they would like full payment next time, or installments over the rest of your treatment plan. After all, you'll have lots more appointments yet, and they can't send the forms off until the treatment is finished anyway.

Princess_Jane

Toothsmith wrote: »

I would ring up the practice, ask if they would like full payment next time, or installments over the rest of your treatment plan. After all, you'll have lots more appointments yet, and they can't send the forms off until the treatment is finished anyway.

I think they just caught me on a bad day.

My orthodontists is a 25-mile round trip from where I work, and however early I leave work, and always end up booling through the door a minute before my appointment is due.

That's a good idea, which I will follow up.