Confused about NHS dentists

shaosen

I've done a bit of a search on the forums, but can't see that this question has been asked before. Basically, if a dentist accepts you as an NHS patient does that mean that any treatment that's clinically necessary should be within the NHS charge bands and that they shouldn't say you need to pay privately?

It's been a while since I last went to the dentist (mainly due to moving around), but had a couple of problems and finally went today. Checked before the appointment that I'd be registered as an NHS patient (in London).

Predictably there were some problems and I need some root canal and some fillings. What I'm confused about though is the dentist said that he would do one of the fillings and the examination on NHS, but that I would need to pay separately for the others (just regular fillings, not white ones), at a cost of around £40 each. He also said for the root canal that I would need to be referred to be a specialist that would be about £800-£1000, but that he could try a filling to put that off until it becomes painful.

What I'm confused about is, if all this is clinically required should it not be included on a course of NHS treatment (presumably band 3)? Is the dentist correct in only providing one filling and asking me to pay separately for others? If not, would it be worth switching to another dentist - and finally if so, can anyone recommend one in London?

jenniewb

I'd ask the Dentist himself if there was a reason he would do this via the NHS. It could be he feels the problems aren't serious enough or would be fine without treatment or that he wants to make money, its hard to say without more information really.

I would give him the chance to explain, say your considering moving as you want the treatment but are not able to pay and that you believe/cannot understand why its not possible to get it done via the NHS.

I would then contact NHS direct as they will list the dentists near you who are accepting NHS clients, I would try to get somewhere easy to get to- asking for recommendations, you'd need to give particular personal area details and I don't think you should be revealing too much online here. You could always google the dentists suggested and see if any sites give reviews on them.

Toothsmith

You're right with your original thought.

If work is 'necessary' then it should all be done within the NHS charge band system, with one charge for the whole course.

The dentist may charge privately for 'cosmetic' alternatives, but not for anything required.

Make a complaint if he/she persists with this insistance.

brook2jack

You should have got a copy of form fp17dc which will detail which treatment is NHS and which private and what each costs.

If your fillings are being replaced for cosmetic reasons ,or are on back teeth in white then they may be charged privately.

If they are referring you elsewhere for the root treatment then fair enough it may need specialist treatment, if the dentist is doing it themselves then there is a problem.

If you are not sure query the surgery before treatment.

If none of this applies make a complaint first to the surgery and then if still persisting to the pct.

Bronnie

Perhaps now he's decided he doesn't really want you as an NHS patient and he's trying to put you off?

shaosen

Thanks - useful advice.

Seems like there are two issues then - if the root canal (scarily) needs specialist treatment it may be right although the fact that he won't do regular fillings (not white ones) on the NHS makes me trust them a little less. Perhaps like Bronnie says if there's a lot of work he wouldn't want me on the NHS books...

I think I'll go back this week and ask, but I'm not sure I'd be comfortable with letting a dentist who I need to haggle with do work on my teeth, probably worth trying to find somewhere else.

Thanks again