Question about dental treatments..

JustWonderful

Hiya,

I just have a couple of questions about the dentist...

I have finally registered at a NHS dentist, having been de-registered whilst being a student and missing 2 appointments and also being embaressed about the state of my teeeth/financial reasons...

I was just wondering about the costs of treatment- I see from the web that there are 3 seperate costs, I know that my treatment will be the highest (a tooth has fallen out due to an abcess) but I also know that various other work will be needed- a gap has appeared between two of my teeth and probably a few fillings. ( I know its very bad and I hate myself for leaving it so long and allowing my teeth to get so bad ). Basically will this count as one treatement and I will be billed £200 (or thereabouts) Or will it be that the treatment for the missing tooth will count as one treatement, then say a filling as another (£17) and for example say I need a root canal that costs £50...

I hope I have made that clear enough?

Toothsmith

No - the one charge covers everything.

There might be a good reason why some things have to be done as one treatment, and then some other things done as a seperate treatment later on (Maybe when the first lot of stuff has settled or healed) - But it certainly won't be that every single item is charged seperately.

JustWonderful

Thanks Toothsmith

My appointment is on the 18th June, and on the 24th June I am going away for 6 weeks.

I spoke to the receptionist and we both thought it would be a good idea to get an appointment before I left, so I knew what I was coming back to, if you like...would you go along with that?

Toothsmith

JustWonderful wrote: »

Thanks Toothsmith

My appointment is on the 18th June, and on the 24th June I am going away for 6 weeks.

I spoke to the receptionist and we both thought it would be a good idea to get an appointment before I left, so I knew what I was coming back to, if you like...would you go along with that?

Sounds sensible!

brook2jack

The only slight problem is NHS treatments are supposed to be finished in a two month time scale.

Therefore the practice will have to send off your original check up as one course of treatment (cost £12 to £16.40 depending on where you live) and start a new course off when you return 6 weeks later with a new treatment cost. But you should get a NHS estimate form telling you exact charges when you have your first visit.

This is also of relevance to people who cancel/fail appointments because that course will be sent off (the dentist has no choice regulations dictate) and a new course and charges given if next appointment not made quickly. Most NHS practices are insanely busy and many cannot make appointments quickly is an appointment is cancelled or missed.

JustWonderful

@Brook2Jack

I thought I might be charged for the check up and then any subsequent treatments seperately. I am not too worried about an extra £17, just didnt want multiple £200 or £50 payments!

Although going on what you say it may be advisable to try and arrange the treatments to be done basically for as soon as I get back from my travels?

Before 18th August? (As Appt is 18th June) then it may count as one treatment?

brook2jack

Yes it is a good idea. But as said before if you need alot of treatment it may need to be staged anyway i.e. first stage get you stabilised and any gum problems sorted (£39 to £47 ish depending on area) .

Second stage any advanced work done (£177 to £200 ish).

JustWonderful

Just another question...

I have just finished university and throughout uni I had a part time job, last year I earned just over £7,000 (P60 arrived) and am not looking for another job until I get back from travels, so will be earning on average £100 a week. So not a lot, but I don't want to go on benefits.

Any way that I can claim for low income support or whatever it is called?

brook2jack

Pick up a HC1 form from dentists fill it in and send off NOW. It takes ages to process and you will have to pay any fees before it comes back and claim back ,if necessary.

You may get some help with costs.