Have an appt at my nhs dentist for some fillings advice required

Buxtons

Ok so at my local NHS dentist (im newly signed up there) and i am currently in receipt of benefits, my first question is, basically im due to start University next month, will the dental practice keep me on as a NHS patient whilst im at uni? so i can still pay the NHS fees?, I would prefer to go private, but i just simply can't afford some of the prices iv'e seen quoted especially for private treatment at my local nhs practice.

My second query is i am worried, when i went into the practice and told them i wouldn't be paying as im on benefits at the moment, the receptionist and assistants sort of looked at each other as if to say "Oh god not another one, another freebie we have to do", and i guess i just felt a bit belittled. Anyway, the dental nurse was actually polite and looked around in my mouth, saying there was some tartar buildup shed remove, and that she would also do a polish. Then she said something that confused me she said "ok your going to need three fillings, two silver and one maybe composite" i dont understand that, she was presuming i wouldn't be paying for treatment and composites arnt available on the NHS right, so why would the composite be free?

In any case im going to pay to have the other two composites, and am i just wondering if i pay to have those composites will i have to pay for the third filling to be composite?

Question 3 is im worried that she sort of deliberately wont really bother giving me a decent scale and polish because im a freebie, so this is sort of reinforcing it in my head that if i at least pay for my composites i might get a bit better treatment and shel be thorough with the treatment im getting free.

I do intend to return and pay in the future, especially because il be at university, but that will be NHS fees if they do keep me on after the treatment.

And my last question is about tartar prevention and overall hygiene health, Is there any particular toothpaste that is great for overall tartar prevention/plaque buildup, same question applies to mouthwash and a toothbrush, at the moment im using a colgate 360 manual brush with crest toothpaste and some cheap mouthwash, is there any particular brands i should keep my eyes open for? Preferably ones that are affordable as im a student.

Thanks everyone.:j

McKneff

Please stop being so defeatist, and you are also insulting the dental professionals. You will get the same care and attention from the dentist whether you pay for it or not.
You seem to have an inferiority complex about either being a student and not having to pay.

You only thought that the receptionists had 'that look' its all in your head mate. You shouldnt presume what people think, you are not a mind reader. If you dont understand something, ask.
Toothsmith, hopefully will be along soon to tell you the difference between silver and composite and help you with your hygiene programme.

Have you actually checked that you dont have to pay. Some students do have to pay AFAIAA

Buxtons

McKneff wrote: »

Please stop being so defeatist, and you are also insulting the dental professionals. You will get the same care and attention from the dentist whether you pay for it or not.
You seem to have an inferiority complex about either being a student and not having to pay.

You only thought that the receptionists had 'that look' its all in your head mate. You shouldnt presume what people think, you are not a mind reader. If you dont understand something, ask.
Toothsmith, hopefully will be along soon to tell you the difference between silver and composite and help you with your hygiene programme.

Have you actually checked that you dont have to pay. Some students do have to pay AFAIAA

Hi, and thanks for your advice, basically im due to start University next month, i am currently in receipt of JSA benefits, so i am exempt from dental fees, Until i go to Uni that is and then i presume i will have to pay the NHS dental fees or get one of those forms that makes me exempt, but the nhs prices really arnt THAT bad so i wouldn't mind paying those.

I just almost feel like im insulting them i guess, because im not paying them, i would prefer the composites because i dont really like the idea of having mercury and metal permanently in my mouth, that can't be good, regardless of what alot of studies say. I heard they don't use amalgams anymore in a few countries?

And your right i guess, i am being presumptious, but these dentists work hard i guess, and i really feel like im short changing them even though im 100% entitled to the free care. I would really like to get the composites though, but im still confused as to why she said id have 2 silver and 1 composite on the nhs, when i heard that the nhs dont do composites.

McKneff

Hello, again, please dont feel that you are a second class citizen, and that you are treated accordingly. Its coming over that way in your posts, youre not, youre just as entitled as the next man/woman.
If you are worried about the amalgie wotsits discuss your concerns with your dentist, simple, you cant expect them to be mind readers either.

I am a pensioner (only just mind you) lol. i dont get any help with costs because i dont have pension credit (i have too many savings to qualify for benefits) thats another matter though. If I was entitled i would be going just the same and expect the same treatment from the professionals.

Do you know what they say, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Its a fact of life and very, very true.

Like I say, discuss your treatment with your dentist, ask. It really will make you less anxious about what only might be going to happen.
See what I mean.

Good luck
Annie

McKneff

Now, Im not sure but just thinking about it, could composites be the white ones fillings that could be seen at the front and the other ones
be at the back and they are harder, work harder, because we chew more with then and and that they are not seen, just a guess,
I am going to the dentist next week and just for my own curiosity I will ask what the difference is.
What do you think about my presumptions.

Wheres Toothsmith when I need him..........................

Fork86

Firstly, the dentist receives exactly the same overall amount whether or not you are entitled to free dental care.

The only difference is if someone has to pay for NHS dental treatment, the dentist only has to recoup the difference from the PCT, as opposed to claiming the whole amount from the PCT.

Example 1:

Band 2 treatment cost for paying patient = £45.60
Overall value of treatment to the dentist can be anywhere between £50-99, depending on the area and contract they have.
The dentist must recoup the difference between what the patient pays and what that treatment is worth in the contract.

Example 2:

Band 2 treatment cost for exempt patient = £0

Dentist can reclaim the whole cost from the PCT.

Either way, the dentist will receive the same amount of money.

So really, many dentists actually prefer treating exempt patients as there isn't any hassle with regards to recouping money for treatment from the patient.


As for white fillings, they are free if they can be clinically justified, or if they are used for front teeth. Generally they will cost if they are to be used at the back of the mouth, and the same filling can be provided with amalgam.

I generally do white fillings for free if it makes my life easier in terms of cavity preparation or size.

welshdent

What fork said!

I dont know what on earth would give you the impression they would think you are a second class citizen. Its utterly irrelevant if you are exempt or not (see explanation of pricings!) Its a damn sight easier treating exempts too. All of the hassles I get are from patients that just think its disgusting they have to pay full stop. I was informed the other day it was an obscene rip off that I should dare charge someone £177 for a root filling and a crown (Wales is cheaper than england hence not being nearly 200).

I think you need to retrain your brain. Also I think you need to check who exactly the nurse is again ... its unlikely a nurse would look in your mouth, diagnose the need to have 3 fillings and a scale and polish. They let women be dentists these days. Certainly made training more interesting

I dont think any presumptions were being made on you. I think YOU may be making some though so chill out a bit ... there is no longer registration so they wont boot you off any lists ... but they may tell you they do not have capacity if you tried to book in with them in say 4 years with no vists in between

munch_jg

i had silver fillings put in the back teeth because you can't really see them and my dentist said they're more hard working, he also have me a white one on a front tooth chip because silver would look silly!
I've had treatment as a student, whilst on job seekers, fully paying and now i'm exempt again and i've always been treated the same.

PlutoinCapricorn

In fairness to Buxtons, I have noticed a difference in treatment from dentists who hope to persuade their clients to have extensive cosmetic work done. They do seem to cool off a bit when they realise that there is no chance of that from me as I just need some repair work done and am immune to all the "before and after" brochures they give me to look at.

Just to change the subject, although it is related to the cost of dental treatment, I Googled "do-it-yourself dentistry" yesterday and rather regretted it. People have been trying to remove their own teeth for example.

welshdent

Honestly I think there is an exaggerated perception that dentists will only be seeking the percieved profitable treatments. Personally, my practice that I work in is so geared up to NHS work that I would actually earn less if I pushed a lot of private work - my principal has such a large NHS conrtract that if we failed to hit those targets they would take money off him and thus me. Also most of the average dentists I know give the so called "cosmetic" work a very wide berth. We do not want the hassle if it goes wrong!! Sure we will advertise white crowns and white fillings ... but you would be amazed at how many people WANT it but but are un aware that us lowly second class NHS dentists are capable of providing it!!! Believe me I have a lot of patients that have gone to see "the cosmetic" dentist for something done even though I would have been perfectly capable of doing it - the term NHS dentist was applied to me when explaining why not! Thats discounting the fact I have gone on numerous courses not to do "cosmetic" work but to do the necessary work as well as I can to the best standard.

Buxtons

Hi, the dentist also said that she was going to remove the yellow tartar build up on the back of my bottom teeth, in the mirror i have noticed there is a slight yellow tint generally only at the bottom and slightly in between my front bottom teeth, would a scale and polish remove this yellow tint? I don't drink coffee and much tea, or alcohol so i dont think its stains from anything like that.