Help with HUGE dental cost!

Bonny40

I am eligible for free dental care as I am a single parent. However I am in pain with an abscess/infection under my bridge. The only way to improve the situation is to have the bridge removed and replaced for 7 teeth at a cost of @ £350 per toothe which with further treatment will be in the range of £2500 - £3000. I simply do not have this money. What do I do?!

Oldernotwiser

Is that price for having it done privately or through the NHS?

Penny-Pincher!!

Bonny40 wrote: »

I am eligible for free dental care as I am a single parent. However I am in pain with an abscess/infection under my bridge. The only way to improve the situation is to have the bridge removed and replaced for 7 teeth at a cost of @ £350 per toothe which with further treatment will be in the range of £2500 - £3000. I simply do not have this money. What do I do?!

I am sure that removal of your bridge would be free on the NHS if it is causing continous infection, but having new teeth made is counted as cosmetic for which you will and should be charged.

PP
xx

pookienoodle

won't bridges be covered under band 3 ?
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_097431

Bonny40

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Is that price for having it done privately or through the NHS?

Private. They said nothing is available on the NHS.

Bonny40

Apparently not. I thought I might get away with it as it is at the front. But basicially it has got worse since yesterday, I think it may be another abscess under the root which is fractured. So to get to the adscess they have to remove the first bridge which will move the 2nd bridge therefore both will have to be replaced.

I have antibiotics, but to complicate things I am going on holiday abroad next Tuesday.....

Bonny40

My dentist is NHS but I would have to pay privately as apparently none of this is covered under the NHS?

Oldernotwiser

I don't think that any private dental treatment is covered by benefits. Do you have a hospital which offers dentistry degrees withing reach? Sometimes they're able to offer free treatment.

Regarding your holiday; if it's within Europe, make sure you have your EHIC card. In any case, did you take out insurance before these problems developed, as without valid insurance in place you could be in a very difficult situation .

Bonny40

I have a hospital close by the John Radcliffe. I am going to call the dentist today to clarify why I shouldn't at least have one of the bridges done on the NHS as it has to be removed to get to the problem. Then perhaps the 2nd bridge done privately. I would be happy with that.

Yes my holiday insurance was taken out in Jan this year when I booked the holiday and I have my medical card too.

Toothsmith

The NHS option would be to have the lost teeth replaced by a denture.

Dentures are a perfectly functional replacement for lost teeth, and can look OK too.

Bridges are 'nicer' as you don't have to take them out to clean them, and chewing with it feels better too. But 'nicer' is an option you have to pay for. Pain free and functional is what the NHS provides.

lilac_lady

Cosmetic dentistry is a "want" not a "need" according to NHS rules. You need to prioritise what's most important to you - holidays or dental work. We all have to prioritise whether we're on benefits or not. That's why so many older people have false teeth - they couldn't afford cosmetic dentistry.