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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
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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
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£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
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