Help with HUGE dental cost!

Toothsmith

And that it wasn't as available, or the techniques so good many years ago.

Having your teeth out was the only option available.

Bonny40

lilac_lady wrote: »

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.

Well I take offence at that!

My holiday was booked in Jan. Its May now and I wasn't expecting this problem! I would love to be in a position to save money for 'potential dental bills'. I work full time, I'm already saving for holidays and childrens Christmas presents and birthday presents but I certainly do not have £2500 saved up to blow on myself, does any parent, single or otherwise?

Bonny40

Apparently the 'Maryland Bridge' is the one available on the NHS but my dentist doesn't think this suitable or strong enough. I have spoken to the receptionist in length who is very helpful and is putting my case forward to the board of dentists and the practice owner.

I am not opposed to paying if I really have to, but I would certainly like to explore all avenues to at least see if I can reduce the £2500 bill in some way.

Seashells

Hi I'm a single parent too and have a NHS card, to get free dental treatment etc.

In these last few years I've had a new bridge (3 pearly white teeth) a white filling and a gold inlay all done on the NHS by my NHS dentist for free! So if I were you I would ring around and find another dentist that will do it for you under the NHS. I was told by my dentist that the bridge was covered under Band 3.

Hope this helps.

hanny83_2

I suppose you have probably already asked this, but my dentist offers a pay monthly service, perhaps as it is such a large payment they would consider this?

SuziQ

Seashells wrote: »

Hi I'm a single parent too and have a NHS card, to get free dental treatment etc.

In these last few years I've had a new bridge (3 pearly white teeth) a white filling and a gold inlay all done on the NHS by my NHS dentist for free! So if I were you I would ring around and find another dentist that will do it for you under the NHS. I was told by my dentist that the bridge was covered under Band 3.

Hope this helps.

Toothsmith or anyone else will correct me if I am wrong,but I think the rules have changed drastically this year as to what can be done on the NHS. My husband needs a root canal filling but his dentist (NHS) showed him the NHS guidelines which allows only for him to have the tooth extracted on the NHS-whereas he could have root canal work etc if he could afford to pay privately. Everything seems to have changed recently. My daughter had excellent orthodontic work completely on the NHS and her teeth are now beautifully straight. My thirteen year old sons' teeth are far worse but he has just been turned down by the same orthodontist as he doesn't fit the new criteria for orthodontal work.

jugglebug

SuziQ wrote: »

Toothsmith or anyone else will correct me if I am wrong,but I think the rules have changed drastically this year as to what can be done on the NHS. My husband needs a root canal filling but his dentist (NHS) showed him the NHS guidelines which allows only for him to have the tooth extracted on the NHS-whereas he could have root canal work etc if he could afford to pay privately. Everything seems to have changed recently. My daughter had excellent orthodontic work completely on the NHS and her teeth are now beautifully straight. My thirteen year old sons' teeth are far worse but he has just been turned down by the same orthodontist as he doesn't fit the new criteria for orthodontal work.

I know of No NHS guideline that says extract before Root treat. It is breaking the contract in fact.
If a root treatment is possible it must be made available.
If it is too complex then a referral can be offered (But NHS specialists are as rare as hens teeth)
If you go to your PCT saying rct is offered privately but refused on the NHS they will have words.....


On the other hand NHS rct is woefully underfunded and I understand why they are trying to not do them. That isnt the point though. The contract is the contract and I f you dont like it, quit it

Oldernotwiser

Seashells wrote: »

Hi I'm a single parent too and have a NHS card, to get free dental treatment etc.

In these last few years I've had a new bridge (3 pearly white teeth) a white filling and a gold inlay all done on the NHS by my NHS dentist for free! So if I were you I would ring around and find another dentist that will do it for you under the NHS. I was told by my dentist that the bridge was covered under Band 3.

Hope this helps.

Have you TRIED finding an NHS dentist recently? They're rarer than hens' teeth!

Toothsmith

SuziQ wrote: »

Toothsmith or anyone else will correct me if I am wrong,but I think the rules have changed drastically this year as to what can be done on the NHS. My husband needs a root canal filling but his dentist (NHS) showed him the NHS guidelines which allows only for him to have the tooth extracted on the NHS-whereas he could have root canal work etc if he could afford to pay privately.

That is compltely wrong (of the dentist).

I would see if you can get hold of a copy of whatever the dentist is showing to patients, and send it in to the local Primary Care Trust dental department.

NHS rules simply state that ANY necessary treatment required by an NHS patient IS available on the NHS.

So if a root filling is NECESSARY, then it must be done on the NHS. If a bridge was NECESSARY, then a bridge MUST be provided.

The thing with a bridge though, is that they are almost NEVER necessary, a denture will always do the same job, and is more cost effective.

It could never be argued that an extraction will do the same job as a root filling. (That's not to be confused with an extraction never being the best treatment. For some teeth, they are beyond root filling - but if root filling is offered privately by the same dentist, then it must be a valid treatment, so it should be available on the NHS.)

Toothsmith

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Have you TRIED finding an NHS dentist recently? They're rarer than hens' teeth!

Not really any more.

Access is king nowadays. NOBODY is registered anymore, so anybody can ring up any NHS practice and they must see you so long as they have unused capacity.

The problem nowadays is getting anything meaningful or continuous from your dental care. Short simple patch-them-up-and-pack-them-off treatment plans are the order of the day now.