We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
The Forum now has a brand new text editor, adding a bunch of handy features to use when creating posts. Read more in our how-to guide
Private dentist and NHS cover for child should they scale and polish for free?
bootman
Posts: 1,985 Forumite
Can I ask a quick question.
Sometime ago I moved to a private dentist who took on my 11 year old under NHS.
We visit every 6 months or so. I just wanted to check should she be giving my son a scale and polish within his NHS cover?
I think we have been going for 2 years now and today I questioned it as it has never been done, to be told I would have to pay for him to go to the hygienist. You can see especially on the bottom teeth he has a build up of plaque that only the dentist can remove, but she never ever says anything and just ignores it.
Many thanks
Sometime ago I moved to a private dentist who took on my 11 year old under NHS.
We visit every 6 months or so. I just wanted to check should she be giving my son a scale and polish within his NHS cover?
I think we have been going for 2 years now and today I questioned it as it has never been done, to be told I would have to pay for him to go to the hygienist. You can see especially on the bottom teeth he has a build up of plaque that only the dentist can remove, but she never ever says anything and just ignores it.
Many thanks
0
Comments
-
He should get all necessary treatment on the NHS.
If the plaque is just something a toothbrush could remove, and there was no associated swelling or bleeding, then it's reasonble to just tell him to brush better.
If it is causing a clinical problem, then the dentist is contractually bound to treat it, and charging for a referral to the hygienist is wrong.How to find a dentist.
1. Get recommendations from friends/family/neighbours/etc.
2. Once you have a short-list, VISIT the practices - dont just phone. Go on the pretext of getting a Practice Leaflet.
3. Assess the helpfulness of the staff and the level of the facilities.
4. Only book initial appointment when you find a place you are happy with.0 -
This happened to my sister who's on the NHS too. She was asked to pay £42 to see the hygienist...0
-
£42 could easily be an NHS Band 2 fee.
An 'intensive' scaling can fall into the Band 2 charge if the gum scores reflect it's necessity. (I'm assuming she has to pay NHS charges - if she doesn't usually pay NHS charges, then it was wrong to charge her)How to find a dentist.
1. Get recommendations from friends/family/neighbours/etc.
2. Once you have a short-list, VISIT the practices - dont just phone. Go on the pretext of getting a Practice Leaflet.
3. Assess the helpfulness of the staff and the level of the facilities.
4. Only book initial appointment when you find a place you are happy with.0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 354.6K Banking & Borrowing
- 254.5K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 455.5K Spending & Discounts
- 247.5K Work, Benefits & Business
- 604.4K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 178.6K Life & Family
- 261.9K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.7K Read-Only Boards