Do you have to pay for a Scale and Polish on the NHS?

loveandlight

Do you have to pay for a scale and polish when you are on the NHS and in receipt of working tax credits with total exemption as earnings are so low?

I have a friend whose dentist wants her to book a routine appointment with the hygenist but she can't afford to pay the £20.00 she has been quoted although she gets treatment on the NHS. She is now in some pain and is scared to go back in case they insist she pays £20.00 to see the hygenist as well.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

heatherw_01

It comes in band 1 so it would be about £16

bank_of_slate

A scale & polish is included in the band 1 charge of £16.20

which includes check ups, scale & polishes and any necessary x-rays
...Linda xx

loveandlight

Thanks guys for your input. Does she pay the £16.20 even though she doesn't pay anything at all towards her NHS treatment as her earnings are so low? I need to clarify this bit as she is in a lot of pain and if need be, I'll pay it for her as she can't afford to pay it herself.

heatherw_01

I am not 100% sure but I would have thought that she wouldn't have to pay

dmg24

Some dentists only have private hygienists (ours does), so she would have to pay if she saw the hygienist. However, the dentist can do a scale and polish as part of the check up, which would be incorporated in the basic charge (which she would not pay if exempt).

tirednewdad

loveandlight wrote: »

Do you have to pay for a scale and polish when you are on the NHS and in receipt of working tax credits with total exemption as earnings are so low?

I have a friend whose dentist wants her to book a routine appointment with the hygenist but she can't afford to pay the £20.00 she has been quoted although she gets treatment on the NHS. She is now in some pain and is scared to go back in case they insist she pays £20.00 to see the hygenist as well.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

If you friend does not pay for NHS treatment then they do not have to pay anything.

Your dentist might want to provide a private hygienist appointment but your friend is under no obligation to take it.
You friend is 100% intitled to recieve the same treatment under the terms of being treated on the NHS for a clean. If your dentists refuses this then they are wrong.

Tell them again that you want the dentist to give your friend a clean under the terms of the NHS fees. They cannot refuse if a clean is needed,

Hope this helps.

alison999

tirednewdad wrote: »

They cannot refuse if a clean is needed,.

youre right they cant, but a hygienist will do a much more thorough job, and £20 isnt a lot to see one.

loveandlight

posted by alison999
and £20 isnt a lot to see one.

Nobody ever said it was???? Then again, if you mean £20 isn't a lot, then to you maybe not, but it's a question of priorities surely when it's the difference between putting food on the table for your children or getting your teeth cleaned, I know which one I would choose and it wouldn't be having my teeth cleaned!!

alison999

loveandlight wrote: »

Nobody ever said it was???? Then again, if you mean £20 isn't a lot, then to you maybe not, but it's a question of priorities surely when it's the difference between putting food on the table for your children or getting your teeth cleaned, I know which one I would choose and it wouldn't be having my teeth cleaned!!

i was just saying thats all. ive seen hygiensts charge £60+ for a scale. i couldnt afford it, and i would notice if i spent £20 but looking after my teeth and gums IS a priority. i dont want to live off mashed potato and soup thank you

suki1964

alison999 wrote: »

i was just saying thats all. ive seen hygiensts charge £60+ for a scale. i couldnt afford it, and i would notice if i spent £20 but looking after my teeth and gums IS a priority. i dont want to live off mashed potato and soup thank you

And that is really insulting for those who are struggling to find 20 quid. :mad:

I would struggle - I can only afford NHS treatment nowdays. For some of us a warm house and petrol in the car to get to work has to come before hygienist appointments.