NHS Dentistry Patient Information

MickKnipfler

I called them today. They said that the hygenist is private not national health. The dentist could give me a clean on the NHS but the hygenist will do more. The NHS clean wouldn't be enough.

Odd really, I was only cleaned 6 months ago, the dentist said that generally my gums are healthy and I don't bleed or anything when I brush.

Toothsmith

Have a word with the PCT to get their view on this.

The dentist cannot say that part of his services are not available to an NHS patient (It's in his contract). The hygienist cannot be 'private only'.

If he says you NEED a hygienist clean up , and he has a hygienist, and you are an NHS patient then you are entitled to see the hygienist on the NHS, OR the dentist must spend enough time cleaning your teeth in order to cure the problem you have.

I can see where the dentist is coming from here, and I have sympathy with him, but the NHS contract is very clear.

If he didn't like it, he shouldn't have signed it. If enough dentists hadn't signed it, then a decent system would have had to be put in place.

He cannot pick and choose which bits he obeys and which bits he ignores.

EDIT P.S. Tell the practice (Nicely) you will be contacting the PCT. It might focus their thinking!

MickKnipfler

Thanks, I'll give them a call. They implied that the clean from the hygenist is more thorough and that an NHS clean wouldn't be enough.

Is it the whole practice or the individual dentist though that's under the NHS contract

Toothsmith

I was going to post THIS article on this thread anyway.

Basically, due to the fact this dogs breakfast of a contract is completely untested, the tax income from patient fees is not anywhere near as much as was expected (Probably because dentists are doing bigger stuff 'privately'.)

Therefore, there is a several million quiddles shortfall in the NHS dental budget.

PCTs (Who aren't well known for being awash with spare cash) will not be able to make up the shortfall.

Therefore, expect appointments with NHS dentists to become very thin on the ground towards the end of the financial year.

Toothsmith

MickKnipfler wrote:

Is it the whole practice or the individual dentist though that's under the NHS contract

That is a bit difficult to answer, as it could vary, but it makes no difference to your problem.

There is a specific clause in the contract that states that if a service is provided on the premesis of a dentist, and that treatment is clinically necessary for an NHS patient, then that service will be available on the NHS to that patient.

Technically this means that if a dentist does something really expensive and technical like implants at his practice, then these too should be available to an NHS patient.

In practice, this will never happen, as there are perfectly good alternatives to implants for much lower cost.

A visit to a hygienist though is a much more basic thing.

If your dentist had said, "Well your gums are fine and I can give them a quick clean on the NHS, but if you really want them feeling beautifully clean, you can visit my hygienist for £XX," then that would have been OK.

What is wrong is for him to say "You really need a good clean up. An NHS clean up won't do the job, you'll have to pay £XX and see my hygienist"

It is all about the words he uses and the alternatives he gives. With you, he has given the wrong words, and you are entitled to the treatment he says you NEED on the NHS.

MickKnipfler

I'll have a chat with the PCT

Toothsmith

Ask for the dental lead, or dental department at the PCT.

If it's different, it's the PCT the dentist practice is in that you want, rather than the PCT area you live in.

Keep me informed.

MickKnipfler

Roger.......

sainthalo

Follow Toothsmiths advice, my dentist backed down as soon as i mentioned the PCT...

Although suddenly the 2 or 3 sessions i needed for £180 were all sorted out in one 15 minute sessionwhich was within the £15.50........ but he says i need another appointment in 3 months!

im suspicious because - did he really want £180 for a 15 minute clean? was he trying to rip me off and i never needed 2 or 3 sessions worth of scaling? or was he being truthful and i needed the scaling sessions but now he has decided to lie and say theyre not needed but you must come back in 3 months? who knows? i dont! but NHS dentists are supposed to get you in once a year if nothings wrong arent they so whats he playing at? i will never be able to figure out this dentist but i know i dont trust him.

Anyway I will never visit this dentist again as i he has behaved most suspiciously.

sallywl

I have travelled 3hr 30 to come to sheffield (my home town) to see my densits because i cant see one where I now live on the NHS its all so stooooopid!

Make me sooo mad! ....... and tired!