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

boozercruiser

Apollonia wrote: »

As someone has already said:
A scale & polish should be done under the NHS - ONLY IF IT IS CLINICALLY NECESSARY.

And what are you implying by the use of the phrase 'so called Hygienist'?

What an insulting way to refer to a profession that provides much appreciated dental treatment to people who actually suffer from gum problems!

I did not mean any dis respect to Hygienists. I am sure that it is a very well paid and respected job for someone.:cool:

I just do not want to subscribe to this obviously well paid job (£25 to £60 a pop for around 15 minutes work) when the service always has, and still is, provided under NHS dental Care.:D

boozercruiser

Toothsmith "If you are angry about the system, then write to MPs. Don't just make a pain in the bottom of yourself at your dental practice. That won't change anything for the better."

And writing to my MP Lembit Opik will not lead to any change either.

Possibly, if the Torys get in at the forthcoming General Election then perhaps they might change the NHS Dental Service for the better. They CANNOT do any worse.

But at my age, I am not holding my breath for things to improve!

~Chameleon~

boozercruiser wrote: »

I am not fresh off a Banana Boat thank you very mutch!:D

I don't particularly care for your manner and I'm appalled at the racist statement you made above :mad:

boozercruiser

Toothsmit "The system stinks, and I refused to have anything to do with it, which of course, makes me a 'greedy dentist'"

With great respect, and I appreciate all of your posts trying to help both me and others who visit here with generally good advice......I can at least I can now see which direction you are coming from.

Again, with respect.... you are part of the establishment, so I cannot expect much sympathy from you.

Its a bit like me complaining to a Pub Landlord that he is serving me Short Pints!

boozercruiser

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

I don't particularly care for your manner and I'm appalled at the racist statement you made above :mad:

My remark was not meant to be racist. I was merely commenting that I was not new to the country, and believe that I know my rights.

I am my 'manner' because I will not be dumped on, or detered from my main point by a person who gets upset when someone says "Boo".

mandi

Hi Toothsmith,

My NHS dentist , gave me appointments with the hygienists for scale & polish , they then advised me that I had to go privately and it now costs me £39.00 . still as an NHS patient. Is this correct please )) ?

boozercruiser

mandi wrote: »

Hi Toothsmith,

My NHS dentist , gave me appointments with the hygienists for scale & polish , they then advised me that I had to go privately and it now costs me £39.00 . still as an NHS patient. Is this correct please )) ?

You know what M8....your post says it all for me.:eek: In my opinion you are yet another person who is or has been RIPPED OFF.

Even though you are entitled to a Scrape and Polish under the NHS that Dentist is pushing you to the Hygienist at a cost of £39:mad:

I REST MY CASE!!:D

Mandi Please read carefully all the above posts which may answere your question.:D

Toothsmith

mandi wrote: »

Hi Toothsmith,

My NHS dentist , gave me appointments with the hygienists for scale & polish , they then advised me that I had to go privately and it now costs me £39.00 . still as an NHS patient. Is this correct please )) ?

As an NHS patient you are entitled to all necessary treatment on the NHS.

If your dentist told you that this visit to the hygienist was necessary for your dental health, then, like boozecruiser's original post, you should not be asked to pay privately for something that you NEED.

The NHS dental service isn't there just to make your teeth look shiney though. If you have requested the hygienist visit, or if it was suggested to you that they might 'look a bit better' for it, then the dentist can charge a private fee for it, but also, you can refuse it safe in the knowledge that your dental HEALTH won't suffer because of that refusal.

I do think there is a lot of gaming going on out there with NHS dentists inappropriately charging private fees for hygenist visits/clean ups. Whether it has happened to you or not is hard for me to say without seeing what's going on in your mouth. But the test as to whether or not you can make something of it is if the dentist has told you you NEED the treatment.

If the dentist has said you NEED it, but is then charging, you have grounds for a complaint.

boozercruiser

Toothsmith..." do think there is a lot of gaming going on out there with NHS dentists inappropriately charging private fees for hygenist visits/clean ups."

This is exactly what is going on with a lot of Dentists......no question.

In Wales there is an organisation running this Dental care through most NHS Dentists called DENTICARE.

I think it is the big business side of things that has led to this now widespread practice.:D

coldstreamalways

In all honesty boozercruiser, patients who demand treatment are one of the reasons I left the NHS. No-one who looks after themselves properly should need a "scrape and polish", gum disease almost always happens to those who don't clean their teeth properly. Just because you shout, email and stamp your feet at the dentist doesn't change the fact that if this treatment isn't necessary, you have no right (under the contract) to this treatment.

But, I'm part of the establishment, so what would I know. Your dentist obviously felt that giving in to your demands was easier than the b&ll ache of you making a complaint. Don't be surprised if there is another new dentist there next time. It's amazing how quickly you get weary of this behaviour.