NHS Dentistry Patient Information

Toothsmith

It is possible to get 'Child Only' contracts. But if you're taking on new patients, you can't just take on children of your private adults. You have to take any child that wants to come.

If you don't take on any new patients you can get away with it.

It does mean you have to dance to the tune of the new contract though, so this is why it's being totally rejected by many dentists.

carl310166

Can i ask Toothsmith a question?

I received a letter from my dentist this morning.

I advises that the government is introducing changes etc...

and they are offering dental plans,

option 1 for £12.99 per month

Regular examinations,scale and polish and 20% off treatments etc

option 2 for £4.99 per month

soft tissue exam etc

option 3 for £100 per year

registration etc

Is this a plan that most dentists are introducing?

Personally,i avoid the dentist if at all possible (i know)due to several bad experiences,but my wife has regular checkups etc,is it possible to give any advice as to whether this is good value?

penrhyn

Is this for private treatment carl?
My denplan insurance currently costs me £16 a month.

carl310166

penrhyn wrote:

Is this for private treatment carl?
My denplan insurance currently costs me £16 a month.

Hi,
Yes,i think so,but it does not include treatment.

Do you get any treatment in the 16ppm?

carl310166

I am wondering if it cheaper (it is MSE after all) to join HSA or similar?

penrhyn

Hi Carl,

Yes everything is covered under the monthly premium.
Exactly how much you pay depends on the state of your teeth when you take out the policy. This is done by your dentist at the outset so you know what your outgoings will be.

Denplans website: http://www.denplan.co.uk/

Toothsmith

carl310166 wrote:

Can i ask Toothsmith a question?

I received a letter from my dentist this morning.

I advises that the government is introducing changes etc...

and they are offering dental plans,

option 1 for £12.99 per month

Regular examinations,scale and polish and 20% off treatments etc

option 2 for £4.99 per month

soft tissue exam etc

option 3 for £100 per year

registration etc

Is this a plan that most dentists are introducing?

Personally,i avoid the dentist if at all possible (i know)due to several bad experiences,but my wife has regular checkups etc,is it possible to give any advice as to whether this is good value?

This sounds like a 'maintenance plan'. It's a sort of half way house between paying as you go and a full capitation system where treatment is all included in the monthly payment.

It's a pretty good system.

Dentists often choose the system that they feel comfortable selling to their patients. The one that they feels will be best value for money for the patient, and yet generate the income the practice needs in order to offer the level of care that they want.

If you are happy with your dentist it is best to go with the scheme they recommend. I think it would be a bad idea to search for the scheme you want whichever dentist is offering it!

Dentists rarely offer a range of schemes, as the complexity of the administration of lots of different methods would be horrendous. Explaining the ins and outs of capitation over maintenance as against fee-per-item would take so much time!Plus, each scheme has it's own admin charges to the dentist, and these get cheaper as more patients sign on. So, if one place had loads of schemes, then each would be running high admin charges, and ultimately this would cost the patient even more.

So yes, your scheme is in line with what many dentists will be offering. Those who do a scheme will almost certainly offer a fee-per-item (FPI) option as well, although there may be some that don't. Some people have insurance based schemes (Like HSA) which would mean that they could claim back the FPI charges.

If you go fee per item though, make sure any insurance you have has enough cover should a big treatment plan be needed (e.g. if you had a bad accident) or that you have enough money saved up in case the worse should happen.

Other than that, it would really be best to go with the dentist's recommendation. If you are unhappy with things at your practice generally, now may be a good time to change. Maybe even go back to a dentist who you were happy with, but you left when he/she 'went private'. (Not necessarily you Carl, I'm talking generally now)

We're not going to laugh and say 'we told you so!!' (Well not to your face!!!!!!!!)

carl310166

Thanks Toothsmith,very helpfull !

Get_Real_2

Wow ! This thread is brilliant. . . . . amazing what subjects are now covered on the moneysaving forums.

My partner and I have just, rather reluctantly, signed up with Denplan and jointly pay £35 per month. Yet another bill to add to a growing list, but we both felt that the time had come when we needed better dental care than was available from the NHS. It only became apparent to me in recent months when I researched this topic, just how NHS dentistry has become "fix it once it's broken" and how much more private practice focuses on prevention and maintaining tooth and gum health. I only wish we had been aware of this earlier.

I'd like to say a big thank you to the OP because what he's saying is vindicating our decision to become private patients.

bank_of_slate

Department of Health correction in patient leaflet!!!!

The Department of health have issued a new version of the patient leaflet which is on their website.

The new one has removed the £56.70 for replacing lost/broken dentures as we 'misinterpreted' it (not that they explained it badly in the first place at all!!!!!)

To have the appliance (denture, brace etc) replaced a patient can appeal to the Business Services Authority and wait for their approval
or
pay the dentist a band 3 charge of £189 and appeal to the Business Services Authority afterwards for a full or partial refund!!
...Linda xx