Dentist - Have I Been Ripped Off?

Oblivion

Last year, following retirement, I changed my dentist to a more conveniently local practice who confirmed I would be taken on as an NHS, not a private, patient.

Last week I went for a checkup, and re-established that I was an NHS patient. The receptionist made a mistake when checking me off on the computer, so several patients who arrived long after me were seen. When I finally did sort out the fact that I had been waiting so long, I was seen by the dentist who logged a couple of fillings needing to be done but had no time left to do them. I was not asked for any money.

This morning I have been back to have the two fillings done. I don't normally have injections, but before I knew what was happening, he had the needle in my mouth and delivered four injections ... oh well.

He then carried out the two drillings and fillings and said, "that's it, see you in six months time". At the reception desk, I was asked to pay £45.60 and the receipt says "For Professional Services".

It wasn't until I got home that I thought 'hang on, my last dentist always required me to sign an NHS form in two places whenever I had work done, but this one hasn't required me to do that?'

Please, does anyone know if the system has changed so that the NHS form is no longer required, or have I been treated as a private patient ... and is the charge of £45.60 in line with typical NHS charges or not?

Dave.

Any

If you were treated privately for £45.60 then I want the name and address of your doctor...

I suggest to google what is and what isn't covered by NHS, as if I remember correctly you have to pay a little if you have white filling rather then silver etc.. Basicaly NHS covers just the basic but if you want nice teeth you need to pay a little for the difference...

Any

http://www.nhs.uk/chq/pages/1781.aspx

Toothsmith

That is certainly a Band 2 NHS charge.

Most claims are sent via computer now, so whilst they SHOULD have got you to sign a form, the forms just sit in a box in the practice for 2 years and are then destroyed.

Occasionally the NHS ask to see a few just to check - but by and large a busy practice could easily forget to get one signed.

There wouldn't really be anything to gain by pocketing your money and not claiming the 'target points' for the work.

Oblivion

Thanks for the responses folks, I should have googled first but I think the injections went straight to my brain

Clearly from the list of charges, I have been correctly charged on the NHS scale.

Dave.

missm29

i've recently just joined a nhs dentist and at my checkup i was ask to sign the nhs form and when i went back for a filling a few weeks later there was nothing to sign. I also paid band B, about £46 and that was just for a checkup and one small filling. Sounds like you got your monies worth.