on low income - cant afford dentist - is this right?

SuziQ

Perhaps Toothsmith can put me right on this if things have changed,but when I worked at NHSDirect 2 years ago I used to take calls from people in desperate pain with their teeth and was able to refer to an emergency dentist, also there are Dental hospitals around-whether you have to pay at these I don't know although I do know some people can queue for a couple of days until they get seen. I was told at both treatment was free-but it may not have been so/may have changed anyway.

alison999

SuziQ wrote: »

Perhaps Toothsmith can put me right on this if things have changed,but when I worked at NHSDirect 2 years ago I used to take calls from people in desperate pain with their teeth and was able to refer to an emergency dentist, also there are Dental hospitals around-whether you have to pay at these I don't know although I do know some people can queue for a couple of days until they get seen. I was told at both treatment was free-but it may not have been so/may have changed anyway.

i dont know about hte hospitals but i know you have to pay at the emergency dentist. if you ring any dentist in your area they'll have the number, after 6.30pm and at weekends its go to doc. im assuming theyd pass your info on

DaisyFlower

Kai'sMummy wrote: »

"What exactly are his outgoings? £400 a month sound plenty to me for someone who sponges a roof over his head wherever he can.

And did he get any 'help' to buy all the stuff that got his teeth into such a state in just 3 years?"
not sure how helpful that answer was mwant to be Toothsmith! It kind of makes it sound like you assume his pain is self inflicted through sweets or worse....actually I wasnt going to mention it in my original post, but my boyfriend was attacked by three youths after he tried to stop one of them harrassing a young girl on a night out - he was celebrating passing his driving test.....since then he has suffered terribly with the teeth on the bottom right of his jaw (where he was kicked in the face) as two are now loose. I posted this telling him that there are some lovely people out there who are kind enough to help others......and then I read your reply!! What did my nan used to say?...."If you haven't got anything good to say, don't say anything at all".....

Ih he can afford drivig lessons, his test fee's and nights out, he can afford to go to the dentist.

Then perhaps he needs to look at getting full time work and his own place if he doesnt plan to move in with you.

lighton

Kai'sMummy wrote: »

By the way, to the others with well meaning messages, thank you very much, for example, we had no idea you could pay in installments - even if it is through a finance company- or that there are dentistry schools.....this was just the sort of help we were after so our thanks go out to you lovely people, you have helped a great deal.....we didn't know where to turn!

Im glad you have had some help. I cannot believe how rude some people on here are being, i wish those people that dont have any practical advice would just go away.
You asked a simple question all it needed was a simple answer, and before people judge maybe they ought to just take a step back.

lighton

Toothsmith wrote: »

What exactly are his outgoings? £400 a month sound plenty to me for someone who sponges a roof over his head wherever he can.

And did he get any 'help' to buy all the stuff that got his teeth into such a state in just 3 years?

Does it say he sponges a roof over his head , if it does i missed it .
It says he stays at different places doesnt say he doesnt pay

bestpud

lighton wrote: »

Does it say he sponges a roof over his head , if it does i missed it .
It says he stays at different places doesnt say he doesnt pay

I think it is safe to assume he does this for a reason!

Jeez, he's working part time only and has £100 a week without any of the mundane responsibilities in life - not rocket science is it!

But I'm sure we will hear of all sorts of woes very shortly! :rolleyes:

snowqueen555

I think I agree with the comments saying to not judge, and just answer the op...

I think maybe they are scared off now. I hope the guy gets a check up, £17 isn't that much money to get a health check on your teeth, and I am sure nhs dentists might be able to explain the costs involved if any further dentistry is needed. NHS dentistry is actually very cheap compared to private, I mean they have fixed costs for filings etc

calleyw

I have a NHS dentist and I need a filling :mad: even after looking I still can't see the problem. But that is another story.

Anyway that comes under band two which is £40 ish. I have yet to have the filling. But I paid the £16.20 for my checkup and scale and polish. And will pay the rest after I have had the filling.

If he has two loose teeth I would think you are looking at a couple of appointments. Over couple of weeks. So could he not pay part each time he goes for treatment.

Yours


Calley

snowqueen555

was the scale and polish included? thats a good offer, my place does scale and polish for a separate fee

calleyw

snowqueen555 wrote: »

was the scale and polish included? thats a good offer, my place does scale and polish for a separate fee

Yes our dentist is NHS.

NHS Dentist Charges Structure

• £16.20 - This charge includes an examination, diagnosis and preventive care. If necessary, this includes X-rays, scale and polish, and planning for further treatment. Urgent and out-of-hours care also costs £16.20.
• £44.60 - This charge includes all necessary treatment covered by the £16.20 charge PLUS additional treatment such as fillings, root canal treatment or extractions.
• £198 -This charge includes all necessary treatment covered by the £16.20 and £44.60 charges PLUS more complex procedures such as crowns, dentures or bridges.

Yours


Calley