Denplan price, is it reasonable?

Dill

Toothsmith wrote: »

Who's they?

The Government?

I'm guessing cybervic meant the dental practice.
In any case the information doesn't get publicised very well.

It's interesting what you say about effectively being a 'new' patient after 6 months. Like many others I too thought that you are registered with a dentist and you go for check-ups every six months or so (as we used to)!

Toothsmith

Dill wrote: »

I'm guessing cybervic meant the dental practice.
In any case the information doesn't get publicised very well.

It's interesting what you say about effectively being a 'new' patient after 6 months. Like many others I too thought that you are registered with a dentist and you go for check-ups every six months or so (as we used to)!

Don't you read the papers?

NHS dentists who bring healthy patients back every 6 months are playing the system, and ripping off hard working taxpayers. :rolleyes:

People with no problems only need to go every 2 years.

(Then they'll very soon start getting problems, and might even need to see how well the government has improved access for people with toothaches)

Dill

Toothsmith wrote: »

Don't you read the papers?

NHS dentists who bring healthy patients back every 6 months are playing the system, and ripping off hard working taxpayers. :rolleyes:

People with no problems only need to go every 2 years.

(Then they'll very soon start getting problems, and might even need to see how well the government has improved access for people with toothaches)

:rotfl:
I must apologise in advance to hardworking taxpayers.. I'm going back before six months, in fact... because less than a month after my last visit part of my bottom tooth came out!

Anyway, sorry, this is getting a bit off topic!

vigman

BigSpender2 wrote: »

Im in Denplan but my dentist has now told me he will not do root canal treatment anymore, which has cheesed me off (not that I need any at mo). However, I've been with him for 30+ years but I am starting to wonder if it's now worth it. The reason I stay with him is experience and satisfaction, but if he not doing the big jobs is there any point.

I am in Denplan and have been with my dentist for 20+ years. However, I have just had two root canals and he says my Denplan doesn't cover this and either I will have to increase my fees or pay one-off top up charges!?

I thought the idea of insurance was that some people have no work and others have lots so the average means that the dentist comes out all right in the end??

Also the second root canal asn't 'worked' and after a week of agony I am going back for more treatment....which I suppose I will now have to pay for?

Thanks

Vigman

PS Dentist says root canals are 200gbp jobs.....[but take 20-30 mins????]

Toothsmith

Denplan basically has two products.

Denplan Care - monthly fee based on what fillings/problems were already present in your mouth. Monthly fee should include all dental care necessary apart from technicians fees for making crowns/dentures etc, any medications (drugs) or elective 'cosmetic' work.

Deplan Essentials - lower monthly fee based on a set level of care (eg. 2 examinations, two hygienist visits and routine x-rays). Anything not on the agreed care list is paid for as extra, but often at a small discount on the usual private prices.

If you're on essentials, then what you've been told is correct. If you're on Denplan Care, then it should be included.

Having said that, I do know some dentists who do exclude certain treatments from the Care contract, and charge them as extra.

They do this for the best of reasons - to make the monthly fee less. BUT - they always explain this carefully to the patient, and the patient is fully aware of what they are signing up to, what's included and what isn't. So long as that's the case, Denplan don't really mind.

What they would mind though is where dentists suddenly start chopping and changing things just to suit themselves.

If you weren't aware of any exclusions like this when you signed the contract, and if it's not written down on some part of the contract you signed, then the standard Denplan contract rules will apply to you, and those say that ALL treatment is included in the contract.

Ask your dentist for a bit more explaination as to why it isn't included - after all, a 20+ yr relationship would mean that basically you must feel this guy is OK! -But if you're not happy with the explaination, then Denplan do have an excellent complaints handling department that generally tries to work with both sides to get a satisfactory outcome for both.

Give them a call.

vigman

Thanks for the quick reply. I am on a Denplan Care plan but at a lower rate than my teeth were evaluated at as a 'favour' years ago. The dentist muttered that I am now costing him money and will have to put up the monthly fee. I didn't know whether to go for that or offer to pay for 'excess' work.....I haven't had much done over the years.

I'm off there now in a few minutes to see why this last root canal failed to work............!?

Vigman

vigman

...boy, did he find a bit of live nerve left behind....I try to totally relax when having surgery or dental work, so I was just drifting off when he hit the live spot...I jumped which made him jump. Apparently the aneasthetic doesn't always kill off the sensation from the nerve?? At least I know why I was so sore all week following the first attempt!. [Toothsmith: does leaving a bit of live nerve often happen? If I was a private patient would I have had to pay for removing this left behind piece of nerve?]

Thanks

Vigman

Toothsmith

vigman wrote: »

[Toothsmith: does leaving a bit of live nerve often happen? If I was a private patient would I have had to pay for removing this left behind piece of nerve?]

1. Probably if you only spend 20 mins doing it!

2. Depends on the dentist - but one who valued his patients loyalty probably wouldn't!

vigman

OK it's only a few hours since the second attempt at the root canal but the tooth still feels very sensitive now the anaesthetic has worn off:mad:....maybe just bruising??

Where's your practice Toothsmith:D

Vigman

Toothsmith

Miles away!!