Denplan...lab costs

Toothsmith

Saversue wrote: »

I have just paid for a temporary Acylic bridge - which cost £38, the permanant one will be about £150. as far as I know my Denplan Dentist just charges whatever the lab fees are.

That sounds about right.

lawsofnature

Hi, I didn't want to start another thread about Denplan so hopefully someone will read this (particularly the v. helpful Toothsmith).

With respect to my crown, the dentist suggested re-using the one that is already in my mouth ...I didn't know this was possible! So obviously they are not interested in making money for lab fees (I must retract my questioning of that). Although the crown has worn a little & cement is leaking, because there is no decay I can leave it be for a while.

However, after an hygenist (sp) appointment, I was told I needed a further 20 min appointment because my gums were a little inflamed and bloody, and she would like to give them two weeks to settles. I was told I would have to pay for this second appointment because I'm on 'Denplan B'. Does anyone know what this means?

I could understand if she said, 'you haven't attended regularly so the additional work will cost you' (fair enough)...but she said it was because I was on 'Denplan B'....what does this mean??

BTW, I'm on Denplan Care, not Denplan Essentials.

Toothsmith

I can see what the practice is getting at here, and, not having seen your mouth, I can't give a definative accurate answer, but it sounds OK.

It goes back to what I said about it being the patient's obligation to make sure they attend regularly. If patient's don't come back at the prescribed interval, then it's the dentist's right to charge for any remedial work.

As I said above, it's really a safety net for the dentist in case someone doesn't come for ages, and there are lots of problems to then put right.

What category you are in with Denplan doesn't really matter, the contract is that for £X per month, the dentist will look after you and do everything necessary to keep you dentally fit.

If it turns out that you regularly need more work than the category your in really pays for, then it's up to the dentist to explain this to you, and to readjust you into a more appropriate category. I do that all the time, but both up AND down! (Some patients do use less time than the category they're in ould suggest - if this is consistant over several years, I do put them down a category. One of the advantages of having a long-term relationship with a particular dentist).

Really, here, the practice WAS saying 'You haven't attended regularly, so this extra hyg appointment will cost you £X.' It's just the person saying it wasn't saying it very well.

Personally, for someone who'd only been away since January, I probably wouldn't have done that - but I'm a bit soft when it comes to the business side! My receptionist might well have kicked me later, and said 'We're not here for fun you know - you've got to charge people'

lawsofnature

Thanks for that information - I think she was attempting to tell me to pay but to do so without offending me. Since the cost is a small amount I'll be happy to pay, but if I get any more of these ad hoc payments I think I'll be better just paying privately and coming off Denplan.

Toothsmith

lawsofnature wrote: »

Thanks for that information - I think she was attempting to tell me to pay but to do so without offending me. Since the cost is a small amount I'll be happy to pay, but if I get any more of these ad hoc payments I think I'll be better just paying privately and coming off Denplan.

True enough. But it shouldn't happen at all if you go regularly!! And brush your teeth REALLY well!!!

applehead_3

And brush your teeth REALLY well!!!

What toothbrush would you advise, Sonic or the rotating brush type (Oral

Thanks

Toothsmith

Have a look at the 'toothbrush' thread.