NHS dentist charge, is this right?

continualdiamond

Had to go to the dentist last Tues as started with toothache the Fri before.

Tooth was checked and had an x-ray to confirm an abscess, charged £16.50 and given a prescription.

Went back today to have the tooth reviewed, abscess gone, tooth needs a filling and they also did my check up for the rest of my teeth at the same time. Charged £16.50

Go back next Wed for the filling and on the form I handed over it at reception it said £45.60.

I've had a look online at price charges before I went to the dentist and for the work the charge bracket is correct. However I read it with that I only pay for each charge bracket once no matter how many times i visit within a 2 mth period.

Note that you only pay one dental charge even if you need to visit more than once to complete a course of dentist treatment.
If you need more treatment at the same charge level (e.g. an additional filling) within two months of seeing your dentist, this is free of charge.

So should I of paid another £16.50 today?

Price bracket 2 says:

£45.60 - This charge includes all necessary treatment covered by the £16.50 charge PLUS additional treatment such as fillings, root canal treatment or extractions.

Cos I've already paid the £16.50 is that then deducted off the £45.60 when I visit next Wed?

Sorry if this all sounds confusing, I just want to make sure I am paying the right amount. I usually just have a check up every 6mths and thats it.

jugglebug

The NHS dental charge system is meant to be simpler, but there are a few odd aspects to it.
If you were seen as an emergency the 1st time then your 1st charge is unrelated to the subsequent courses.
ie you have to pay the 16 quid, then when you had your check up that attracted another charge of 16 quid
You are right though, when you have your filling then the 2nd 16 quid charge should be deducted from the forty odd quid total.
clear as mud yes.

McKneff

jugglebug wrote: »

The NHS dental charge system is meant to be simpler, but there are a few odd aspects to it.
If you were seen as an emergency the 1st time then your 1st charge is unrelated to the subsequent courses.
ie you have to pay the 16 quid, then when you had your check up that attracted another charge of 16 quid
You are right though, when you have your filling then the 2nd 16 quid charge should be deducted from the forty odd quid total.
clear as mud yes.

Sounds about right to me.

continualdiamond

Thank you, that sounds right and make sense.

Cos i would put down my appt last week as an emergency cos i rang up the Fri before the back hol weekend saying i had toothache and needed to see someone.

VK-2008

i saw something about being exempt if on low income what is classified as a low income

darkblue_2

I can't remember the exact eligibility, but when you get Working Tax Credits (maybe only child element?) you get a card for free dental charges and prescriptions.

Or am I raving mad?

Toothsmith

VK-2008 wrote: »

i saw something about being exempt if on low income what is classified as a low income

fill in an HC1 form available from a post office it will be assessed and you may be given a full or partial exemption certificate