NHS Dental Charges... Seeing the Hygenist - Is this included?

gilesdavies

Hi Guys...

I was lucky to find an NHS densist taking on new patients where I live in Northamptonshire and took up the offer in a snap!

I visited the dentist today and was very impressed with their new shiny premises and ouzzing technology... I have my check-up and it all seemed a little quick - I was in and out of the Dental Chair within five minutes and assured everything with my teeth was in order and needed fillings. (Phew!)

The dentist did however ask I book an appointment to see the hygienist to have my teeth "Deep Cleaned" as he called it, as there was one or two areas of plaque build up... I thought no problemm andthis was all part of the basic £16.20 tier charge for NHS dental treatment.

I go down to reception and they book me in to see the hygienist in a few days, it was only with me asking out of curiousity, the receptionist advises me the charge to see the hygienist for a clean is an additional £49(!) and only available as private treatment. She advises me only the check-up is available for the £16.20 lower NHS tier fee...

My question is, am I been ripped off??? I read a couple of websites and it states:

"Band 1 course of treatment
£16.20 - This covers an examination, diagnosis (eg: x-rays), advice on how to prevent future problems, and a scale and polish if needed."

Surely what I am having is a Scale and Polish and should all be included I paid in the £16.20 fee today...? Is it likely my dentist being selective what treatment they offer and trying to recoup their costs by private treatment.

Am I just being cynical and what the dentist is doing is correct?

denton6

Hi i am also with a nhs dentist,signs in the waiting room tell you that the hygienst appointment is classed as a private treatment with a charge of £50,so i think this is prob right.I know you have to pay upfront as well for this treatment and lose your money if you dont turn up.

david69_2

dentist is a rip off i had to pay £200 for 1 gold crown white fillings £105 its getting so expensive

willo65

I think scale and polish can be part of check up but is not full treatment by hygienist, I did go and see hygienist and she cleaned my teeth really well and was in for about 30mins with her.

joolsybools

I agree with OP personally and would have pushed for a scale and polish from the dentist.

I've been stung by this as well and would like to see much clearer guidelines as I think its a cash cow for dentists due to the changing nature of their contract.

If you feel strongly about it write to your MP http://www.writetothem.com/

moana

I think 'Deep Cleaned' is different from the normal scale and polish.

A few years ago (maybe 6) I was told I needed something more than the normal scale and polish and when I asked the receptionist she said it would cost me 120 quid. I must have looked a bit shocked because she said I could get referred to the nearest Dental School and get it done for free. I did this and the full treatment consisted of a 30 minute initial exam, four sessions 45 minutes long of the 'deep cleaning' this included injections for the painful back teeth and a final 20 minute checkup. This took about a month overall.

The treatment was to get rid of the plaque beneath my gumline and was quite painful hence the injections. The treatment was done by a student with proper supervision.
It was well worth it to me.

Trying_to_be_good

£50 and then have really healthy teeth that are deep cleaned and far less likely to fall out and need more costly treatment? Worth the investment, I think, and probably a good annual thing to have done.