NHS Dentist Charges - Emergency Appointments

Lil_Me_2

Just wondered if anyone could shed a bit more light on the NHS charges for dentists, particularly in terms of emergency appointments.

I have a problem with infections, so far this year I've had 3 but over the past few years I've had countless infections! Now each time I go to the dentist I seem to be charged for different things and the NHS website isn't really clear.

http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1781.aspx?CategoryID=74&SubCategoryID=742

For urgent dental treatment (including out-of-hours treatment), you will have to pay a separate charge of £16.50.

There is also no charge if your dentist only has to write out a prescription

Since I've had to pay for dental treatment I've had the following scenarios, each time it's been an emergency appointment on the day-

1) Not registered with a dentist - prescription only - not charged for appointment.
2) Not registered with a dentist - prescription only - charged for emergency appointment.
3) Registered with dentist - got infection whilst in Egypt and picked up antibiotics there but made appointment when I got back as it still hurt - looked at it and poked it - charged but no prescription.
4) Registered with dentist - prescription only - charged.

Now when I questioned the last appointment charge the receptionist told me that there was a charge for writing a prescription, which I knew was wrong, so I got her to clarify. She spoke to the practice manager and they then decided that I shouldn't have been charged for trip number 3 but I did have to pay for the latest one so they carried over the £16.50 payment.

So does anyone know whether the "no charge for prescription" cancels out the emergency appointment charge?? Obviously each time I get an infection it's costing me almost £25 so it's not cheap! Although they have referred me to the dental hospital to get the one wisdom tooth out so that should help cut down the infections.

Toothsmith

I don't know enough about that aspect of the NHS contract. I refused to have anything to do with it!

Lil_Me_2

Toothsmith wrote: »

I don't know enough about that aspect of the NHS contract. I refused to have anything to do with it!

Darn I was hoping you would be my expert with the answer

Thanks anyway!

tirednewdad

I'm Afraid you can be charged for an emergancy appointment where you just have a prescription- as the dentist will usually also tick a box on the computer stating you have had 'advice and assessment'.

Unfortunately this is a band 1- treatment and so you are charged £16-£17.

sorry

jenniewb

I was under the impression that if its an infection or problem caused by their own hand-work then its free- is this not correct?

coldstreamalways

jenniewb wrote: »

I was under the impression that if its an infection or problem caused by their own hand-work then its free- is this not correct?

A course of treatment lasts three months so if you had a filling in January and need another one in February then I believe it's covered by your January fee. Work is apparently also guaranteed for a period of time.

I'm not sure what you mean by "their own hand-work" though?

As toothsmith said, most dentists with any sense ran as fast as possible away from this contract so I don't know a lot about it other than the emergency charge of £16.50 that I use when I do emergency sessions for the PCT.

alison999

coldstreamalways wrote: »

A course of treatment lasts three months so if you had a filling in January and need another one in February then I believe it's covered by your January fee.

Its two months for that and only if its in the same band of treatment or below. If it goes up band (eg band 2 to 3) then its the WHOLE charge.

Emergency treatment charges are completely seperate, you could pay the 16.50 every week. Though I doubt any dentist would actually do that.

jenniewb

coldstreamalways wrote: »

A course of treatment lasts three months so if you had a filling in January and need another one in February then I believe it's covered by your January fee. Work is apparently also guaranteed for a period of time.

I'm not sure what you mean by "their own hand-work" though?

As toothsmith said, most dentists with any sense ran as fast as possible away from this contract so I don't know a lot about it other than the emergency charge of £16.50 that I use when I do emergency sessions for the PCT.

I was meaning if your dentist gave you an infection- I had about three separate infections which occured every time I had seen my dentist. I changed dentists and suddenly... No infection!

Pennylane

Jenniewb - I sympathise! I now have a huge fear of going to the dentists because of an infection I picked up there.

All my life I just went along to the dentists without worry and then I needed a large back tooth removing and my own dentist arranged for me to go to another surgery (also NHS) because he didn't do sedation and also because I apparently have a small mouth.

I very nearly backed out while waiting because the whole place looked grubby and too hectic. It was supposed to specialise in helping "nervous patients". :rotfl::rotfl:

I got this horrible infection while I was there and I was ill for weeks and since then I DREAD seeing a dentist. I have chipped a back tooth and that needs doing. I have a small, old white filling on the front of a front tooth and I'd love to have that re-done so it's pure white again. I have a MASSIVE filling fallen out at back. But I'm too scared to go now.

I saw a dentist advertising (private) who specialises in cosmetic dentistry and terrified patients. Does anyone know if I could go to him for this work (if I use my Xmas & birthday cash) and then would I be able to go back to a NHS dentist afterwards for regular check ups. I just don't feel confident with my NHS dentist - he is really abrupt (not just with me) and he's always in a hurry. Last time I went I did tell him that I feel really nervous now and he wasn't at all concerned and just sort of shrugged.

Toothsmith

Pennylane wrote: »

I saw a dentist advertising (private) who specialises in cosmetic dentistry and terrified patients. Does anyone know if I could go to him for this work (if I use my Xmas & birthday cash) and then would I be able to go back to a NHS dentist afterwards for regular check ups. I just don't feel confident with my NHS dentist - he is really abrupt (not just with me) and he's always in a hurry. Last time I went I did tell him that I feel really nervous now and he wasn't at all concerned and just sort of shrugged.

You can see whoever you like - providing they have space and agree to see you.

I never recommend swapping and changing though, as everybody's mouth is unique, and the longer a dentist spends getting to know what works and what doesn't for you - the better and more long lasting your treatment outcomes will become.

But - if you get a decent private dentist, then you'll never want to be an NHS patient again!

alison999

Pennylane wrote: »

I just don't feel confident with my NHS dentist - he is really abrupt (not just with me) and he's always in a hurry. Last time I went I did tell him that I feel really nervous now and he wasn't at all concerned and just sort of shrugged.

Then why carry on seeing him?

NHS dentists dont have a lot of time to spend of each patient so if youre nervous its probably best that you do see a private dentist. They can spend more time with you, explaining your options of treatment if you need any etc.

The most important thing is having a dentist that you can trust and that youre comfortable with.