Dentist trying too rip me off - Advise please

Chaz1

I visited a local NHS dentist around one week ago - The reason I visited an NHS dentist was due to trying to come-off paying for private treatment (Denplan); I thought it may be cheaper.

Anyway, I made an appointment and visited the NHS dentist, only to be treated like a piece of meat, and then told I NEED A FILLING!!, that would cost £110

I was completed shocked about the news because I have not needed dental treatment for a few years.

I challenged the dentist, he then put a mirror in my mouth, so I could see the tooth he was considering filling - I could not see anything wrong with the tooth.

Today I have visited my private dentist, I have had a full dental examine and x-rays - I DO NOT need a filling.

I am so angry with the NHS dentist for trying to complete unneccessary work and want paying for the privilege.

The question I am asking is, do I take this further?? or do I just start shouting at the NHS dentist. No wonder people are so unsure of going the dentist. :mad:

Toothsmith

£110 isn't an NHS fee either.

So this 'NHS' dentist was charging you private rates as well. I would have a word with the local Primary Care Trust - They'd be very interested to hear your experiences.

The lesson for the day. If you have a dentist you trust - stick with them.

funguy

Is it possible to be registered to more than 1 dentist at the same time?

Toothsmith

Not really.

Why would you want to? It would just confuse everybody, and give them both the perfect excuse not to cover anything that failed.

Stephb1986_2

Ahhh yeah I've had this before at my regular dental practice there was a new dentist in that I had to see. He told me I needed 6 FILLINGS!!!! I mean get real! I told him I wanted to be sedated for it then because I'm a nervous patient, so I go sent to a place that could sedate me, he had a look and said I needed 2 FILLINGS!!! this was all nhs too. So when you look at it they are just screwing everyone over for the fun of it.

I've still not been back for the 2 fillings and that was a year ago!

Steph xx

Toothsmith

Stephb1986 wrote: »

I've still not been back for the 2 fillings and that was a year ago!

So in another year, when you've got a raging toothache and are desperately looking for anyone with space to take you..................... How much do you think you'll have to pay then??

The clever thing would be to get it fixed whilst you're in control and have the power to say 'no thanks' to the bad places.

Unfortunately, the place which said you only need 2 fillings might not be so willing to see an unreliable patient now, so it's back to square 1.

Stephb1986_2

Toothsmith wrote: »

Unfortunately, the place which said you only need 2 fillings might not be so willing to see an unreliable patient now, so it's back to square 1.

I never made an appointment with him, he told me to go back to my dentist and have them done. I'm not in any pain with them so I'm not really that fussed.

Tozer

Toothsmith wrote: »

So in another year, when you've got a raging toothache and are desperately looking for anyone with space to take you..................... How much do you think you'll have to pay then??

The clever thing would be to get it fixed whilst you're in control and have the power to say 'no thanks' to the bad places.

Unfortunately, the place which said you only need 2 fillings might not be so willing to see an unreliable patient now, so it's back to square 1.

Hi Toothsmith - just a question - how much of dentistry is 'fact' -i.e. you need a filling; compared to 'discretion / opinion' - i.e. the dentist's opinion is a filling is needed?

Toothsmith

If you ask 4 dentists about your mouth, you'd probably get 4 different treatment plans.

There are many schools of thought, so it's very hard to say which treatment is 'right'.

So much of it also depends on how well the dentist knows the patient and their history.

For a patient that's been coming to you for years, you may well know that the little brown stain on the edge of a tooth has been there for years, and never changed. A new dentist may well see that same mark, and note it down to be filled, as he's worrried that in 6 months time when they see the patient again, it will be a massive hole.

Neither dentist is 'wrong' here. Both are doing what they think is the best thing for that patient.

But - as I often bang on about - you will get the best dental care by finding a dentist you trust and sticking with them long term. That way, they get to know how your mouth works, and what treatments work best for you.

Toothsmith

Stephb1986 wrote: »

I never made an appointment with him, he told me to go back to my dentist and have them done. I'm not in any pain with them so I'm not really that fussed.

Well, that's a sensible approach then isn't it?

Chaz1

Thank you for all the replys - the £110 did include a white filling if this makes any difference?
How do I get in-touch with the primary care trust?