Paying for dentist....

chocolates

Hi wonder if anybody can help me please. Ive been in agony with my tooth for the past week or so and desperately need to go to the dentist. However i simply cannot afford it! I have the 16.50 for the check up charge but haven't got the money for a filling or any further treatment! What happens in these situations? Do Dentists allow you a certain time to pay?? Ive been up since 0400 with it as in so much pain

[Deleted User]

Hi,

where abouts are you, methinks you are in England, because you get a free check up in Scotland.

If you are in real pain, there must be a NHS dental emergency place you can contact.

Eh,,,, does you forum name give any clues as to the condition of your teeth?

d3mon4ngel

You could always just ask your dentist.

When I last went I had a filling, but didn't have the cash on me - didn't realise I couldn't pay on my card. I asked if I could pay a few days later as I wouldn't be able to get to a cash point and back to them as I work the same hours that they were open, and the receptionist said that was fine.

I'm not sure if my experience is the norm, or not though.

Cranny44

d3mon4ngel wrote: »

You could always just ask your dentist.

When I last went I had a filling, but didn't have the cash on me - didn't realise I couldn't pay on my card. I asked if I could pay a few days later as I wouldn't be able to get to a cash point and back to them as I work the same hours that they were open, and the receptionist said that was fine.

I'm not sure if my experience is the norm, or not though.

Yes I have done that several times at my dentist over the years and never been a problem paying a few days later.

chocolates

Thankyou all for your replies,i have called the dentist and you have to pay on the day you go and have the treatment so going to have to just grin and bare it for now! Seems ridiclious really because surely lots of people cannot afford to go to the dentist!

chocolates

[Deleted User] wrote:

Hi,

where abouts are you, methinks you are in England, because you get a free check up in Scotland.

If you are in real pain, there must be a NHS dental emergency place you can contact.

Eh,,,, does you forum name give any clues as to the condition of your teeth?

Im in England yes and im going to call my emergency dentist and see what they say! and yes i do love a bit of chocolate lol!

amberowl28

I assume you aren't claiming any benefits which entitle you to free treatment? The best thing to do is see if you can come to some arrangement with the dentists.

BackOnTrack

I would call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 and see what they advise.

Cazzr

I think emergency NHS treatment has a cap of 16.10 for them to 'patch' you up (could be a temp filling but hey...).

Edditted to add: if you phone your primary care trust (nhs number above might do the same), they can book you in to a local dentist for one off emergency treatment I think...

carrielovesfanta

If you can get to a dental hospital (if you're in a city somewhere...) then they will patch you up temporarily for free until you can afford the filling

Tropicalmoments

I live in Scotland and until recently NHS dentists were rarer than hen's teeth. I couldn't afford a private dentist either so when I had an abcess I called the emergency dental helpline and they got me an emergency dental appointment the same day. I still had to pay something but it was only about £8.00.

Be warned though that emergency dentists only have 30 minutes to carry out emergency treatment which is fine for fillings and extractions but root canal treatment takes 90 minutes so they do a temporary repair.