Asked for Dental NHS Scale and Polish.Told "Go to Hygienist at £25 extra"

boozercruiser

welshdent wrote: »

I know officially it doesnt but we were always taught to consider it as a notional "2" and thats how I look at it. I completely agree it doesnt NEED to be removed for health reasons. I am just trying to explain a few tit bits that we take for granted which the public at large do not always know about. If the only thing pointed out is staining then I may be doing quite well

Thank you for your 'Tit Bits' Welshdent.....I always was partial to them!:D

Incidentaly, and I think may be of further interest to you is that I have had a PM from a BBC Breakfast reporter which said......

"Hello - I am a reporter for BBC1's Breakfast programme, I hope you don't mind me contacting you directly. I read your post about dental hygienists with interest, as I am putting together an item about them. I wondered if you would mind giving me a call on ...... or emailing me on........ to have a chat about your experiences."

He is going to telephone me next week and this may or may not lead to a news item of course...but I hope that it does!:D

Funnily enough, I have been thinking for a while to try and get say BBC Watchdog, BBC Wales's X Ray program or ITVs The Ferret interested in this subject.

If I happened to get on telly with it, I promise I will still talk to you guys, and you may even PM me for an autograph:)

Please note though that I would only sign if you promise not to sell it on!:rotfl:

Now then, where are those dark glasses!:D

Garetha

Please keep us informed as to when you might be on the TV!

I think the BBC should also be inviting some of the dentists off this thread

coldstreamalways

I think it's good that you are challenging this boozer, to echo toothsmith, NHS dentists should act within the contract, if they don't like the terms, they should leave. I just want you to remember though, if you name specific people whether they have acted within the rules or not, it is their career you are holding in your hand.
Dentists and hygienists are people too and whilst I applaud the way you have handled the issues you've presented, a slur on someone in public on a national TV programme may mean they can't make the minimum payment on their credit card/mortgage that month.

Good luck and keep us informed!

jugglebug

Garetha wrote: »

Please keep us informed as to when you might be on the TV!

I think the BBC should also be inviting some of the dentists off this thread

You might find us dentists a little reticent in that regard.
The media has a habit of editing us to show their side or disregarding anything we say.
Anne Robinson had the head of the GDC on once and just ignored everything he said and ploughed on with her (false) beliefs
A colleague of mine did a item on phobia on the agreement that it would be positive with no overhyped imagery. cut to huge needle jabbed straight at the camera.
These are just the 2 examples I have off the top of my head
Of course some People within dentistry have handed it to em on a plate (the others will know who I mean lalalalalalalalala :rotfl:)

SailorSam

I went to the hygienist for a wash and brush up and it cost £23.
I'm on benefits and normally get dental work free but about this time last year they told me of the changes in charging, i still don't need to pay to see the dentist but from 1/1/10 you have to pay to see the hygienist.

boozercruiser

coldstreamalways wrote: »

I think it's good that you are challenging this boozer, to echo toothsmith, NHS dentists should act within the contract, if they don't like the terms, they should leave. I just want you to remember though, if you name specific people whether they have acted within the rules or not, it is their career you are holding in your hand.
Dentists and hygienists are people too and whilst I applaud the way you have handled the issues you've presented, a slur on someone in public on a national TV programme may mean they can't make the minimum payment on their credit card/mortgage that month.

Good luck and keep us informed!

Thank you for your kind comments.

However, please remember that the very last of my intentions is to slur anyone at all.

If this subject does get anywhere for some more attention for the subject then the focus of my irritation is in the main directed at the Denticare organisation which I think now handles most Dental practices in Wales.

I don't know exactly where or when the pracrice crept in of the Dentist saying "Right.....so your teeth need a filling and your gums don't look too good either. You should see the Hygenist"

Patient "Oh! yes and do I have to pay extra for that then"?

Dentist "Yes, the charge for that will be £25" (Or perhaps even more).

I had not come across this before I moved to Wales 6 years ago.
Before I would always have my treatment which ALWAYS ended in a Scale and Polish which is included in any relevant NHS band anyway.

So then...to me...it's a new fashion Rip Off, a con and just another reason for soaking the patient for another upwards £25 on top of the normal whatever band fee already paid.

So, instead of 6 years ago in Wales I would pay £13 for a filling and a Scale and Polish....I now pay £39 for that one filling...plus if I am stupid enough will pay an extra £25......

Total £64 for what was £13.

That sounds like legalsed extortion to me!:mad:

O.K. I appreciate that the last Government made it £39 up from £13...but the £25 or whatever for the Hygenist is just rubbing salt into the wound.:eek: In fact...taking the ***s:eek:

Remember though....I am not meaning to have a go at the Dentists employed by Denticare (Most are shipped in fron Poland, Latvia or somewhere in the EU) as I suspect that is just what they are told to do......

Denticare.."Remember to try and direct the patient to the Hygenist"

Or is that just me being cynicle?:D

boozercruiser

SailorSam wrote: »

I went to the hygienist for a wash and brush up and it cost £23.
I'm on benefits and normally get dental work free but about this time last year they told me of the changes in charging, i still don't need to pay to see the dentist but from 1/1/10 you have to pay to see the hygienist.

Frankly...I think that you have been lied to there. You have just become victim of what I have been complaining about all along. :mad:

Perhaps the PRACTICE has decided that.....but under the NHS if you NEED a scale and polish...then that comes under the band 1 or whatever.

Unless my Dentist friends can put me right again!:D

brook2jack

Sorry BC denticare only run 18 practices in Wales so by no means the majority only a very tiny fraction. Corporates such as this tend to set up in places where small family dentists cannot make a living on the NHS .

Dental charges are set by the Welsh Assembly not by the dentists. Even at the levels set they are below what is paid in England (£16ish, £44 ish,£189ish) and the maximum paid is below Scotland £340 ish.

I have also found in my dealings with the media that they are much more interested in perpetuating cliches that listening to the truth.

Dentistry has never been free and the charges in no way reflect what it costs to provide quality dental treatment.

As has been said before if there is no clinical need and you are just going for "a wash and brush up " then you will have to pay for this privately. The government via An audit commission report wanted to encourage dentists to do less scaling and polishing. If you have a clinical need Ie you have gum disease then you are entitled to treatment on the Nhs but it is likely to be with the dentist because very few practices can afford to employ a hygienist on the NHS.

boozercruiser

Simple...isn't it?

NHS dental charges from 1 April 2010
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times][FONT=Times New Roman,Times]�[/FONT]
[/FONT][FONT=Frutiger 45 Light,Frutiger 45 Light][FONT=Frutiger 45 Light,Frutiger 45 Light]The charge you pay depends on the treatment you need to keep your mouth, teeth and gums healthy. You will only ever be asked to pay one charge for each complete course of treatment, even if you need to visit your dentist more than once to finish it – either Band 1, Band 2 or Band 3. If you have to be referred to another dentist for another course of treatment, you can expect a second charge. Some minor treatments are free, including having stitches removed and repair to dentures (if they can be mended). [/FONT]
[/FONT]If you are not exempt from charges, you should pay one of the following charges for each course of treatment you receive:[FONT=Times New Roman,Times][FONT=Times New Roman,Times]�[/FONT]
[/FONT]Band 1 course of treatment – £16.50
[FONT=Frutiger 45 Light,Frutiger 45 Light][FONT=Frutiger 45 Light,Frutiger 45 Light]This covers an examination, diagnosis (e.g. X-rays), advice on how to prevent future problems, A SCALE AND POLISH, IF NEEDED!!!!!!, and application of fluoride varnish or fissure sealants. If you require urgent care, even if your urgent treatment needs more than one appointment to complete, you will only need to pay one Band 1 charge. [/FONT]
[/FONT]Band 2 course of treatment – £45.60
[FONT=Frutiger 45 Light,Frutiger 45 Light][FONT=Frutiger 45 Light,Frutiger 45 Light]This covers everything listed in Band 1 above, plus any further treatment such as fillings, root canal work or if your dentist needs to take out one or more of your teeth. [/FONT]
[/FONT]Band 3 course of treatment – £198.00
[FONT=Frutiger 45 Light,Frutiger 45 Light][FONT=Frutiger 45 Light,Frutiger 45 Light]This covers everything listed in Bands 1 and 2 above, plus crowns, dentures or bridges. [/FONT]
[/FONT]Free NHS dental treatment or help with health costs
[FONT=Frutiger 45 Light,Frutiger 45 Light][FONT=Frutiger 45 Light,Frutiger 45 Light]You may be eligible for help with all or part of the costs of your NHS dental treatment. To see if this applies to you, see the leaflet [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Frutiger 45 Light,Frutiger 45 Light][FONT=Frutiger 45 Light,Frutiger 45 Light]NHS dental services in England[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Frutiger 45 Light,Frutiger 45 Light][FONT=Frutiger 45 Light,Frutiger 45 Light], which is available from any NHS dental practice or at [/FONT][/FONT]www.dh.gov.uk/dentistry
[FONT=Frutiger 45 Light,Frutiger 45 Light][FONT=Frutiger 45 Light,Frutiger 45 Light]For advice on how to get help with health costs [/FONT][/FONT]call 0845 850 1166 [FONT=Frutiger 45 Light,Frutiger 45 Light][FONT=Frutiger 45 Light,Frutiger 45 Light]or see [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Frutiger 45 Light,Frutiger 45 Light][FONT=Frutiger 45 Light,Frutiger 45 Light]Help with health costs [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Frutiger 45 Light,Frutiger 45 Light][FONT=Frutiger 45 Light,Frutiger 45 Light](HC11), which is available from Jobcentre Plus offices and NHS dentists, or at [/FONT]
[/FONT]www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk
For further information on NHS dental services and dental charges, see the leaflet [FONT=Frutiger 45 Light,Frutiger 45 Light][FONT=Frutiger 45 Light,Frutiger 45 Light]NHS dental services in England[/FONT][/FONT], which is available from NHS dental practices, or the more detailed [FONT=Frutiger 45 Light,Frutiger 45 Light][FONT=Frutiger 45 Light,Frutiger 45 Light]Guide to NHS dental services in England[/FONT][/FONT], which are available at www.dh.gov.uk/dentistry, or ask your primary care trust (PCT) for help.

Wales is the same....but a bit cheaper.

boozercruiser

brook2jack wrote: »

Sorry BC denticare only run 18 practices in Wales so by no means the majority only a very tiny fraction. Corporates such as this tend to set up in places where small family dentists cannot make a living on the NHS .

Dental charges are set by the Welsh Assembly not by the dentists. Even at the levels set they are below what is paid in England (£16ish, £44 ish,£189ish) and the maximum paid is below Scotland £340 ish.

I have also found in my dealings with the media that they are much more interested in perpetuating cliches that listening to the truth.

Dentistry has never been free and the charges in no way reflect what it costs to provide quality dental treatment.

As has been said before if there is no clinical need and you are just going for "a wash and brush up " then you will have to pay for this privately. The government via An audit commission report wanted to encourage dentists to do less scaling and polishing. If you have a clinical need Ie you have gum disease then you are entitled to treatment on the Nhs but it is likely to be with the dentist because very few practices can afford to employ a hygienist on the NHS.

With great respect....would that be THIS Audit Commission then?

13 August 2010 Last updated at 21:05
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Eric Pickles announces plans to scrap Audit Commission

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Eric Pickles said scrapping the Commission would save £50m a year

England's public spending watchdog the Audit Commission, which employs 2,000 people, is to be scrapped.
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said the move would save £50m a year.
Commission Chairman Michael O'Higgins said the watchdog had improved the quality of local services since its inception in 1983.
He said the commission regretted the government's decision but the body had already been looking at moving some of its work into the private sector.
Staff received an email from management on Friday. A source told the BBC it came "completely out of the blue".
Surprising move
In a press statement, Mr Pickles said the commission's research functions would stop and councils would be able to ask private companies to carry out audits. There would also be a "new audit framework" for local health services.
In May, Mr Pickles vetoed the £240,000 salary for the new head of the Audit Commission. Earlier this month he criticised its decision to pay a lobbying firm £55,617.
A source at the commission told the BBC that moving some of the auditing into the private sector could end up costing more.
But Mr Pickles said: "The corporate centre of the Audit Commission has lost its way. Rather than being a watchdog that champions taxpayers' interests, it has become the creature of the Whitehall state.

END.

You know, the one that rips us off with high salaries and nonsense for instance?

I am really gonna take notice of them soon to be gone useless Bureaucrats!
Am I not?:D