£2k unexpected dentist bill

koloko

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flissh

I know nothing about teeth, so am the least qualified to answer this and I'm sure a dentist or someone in the know will be along soon......but, if it were me I think I would go somewhere else and get a second opinion.

koloko

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Elle7

I don't think you'll find a solution that will allow you to have the work done with her anyway.

Dental insurance wouldn't cover this, as you aren't already insured, and the only way the NHS would subside this, if they would, would be for you to use an NHS dental practise. Then if the work is deemed essential it'll be carried out for NHS prices. I don't know who is eligible for this, really, but there are lots of really nice dentists on here so I'm sure they'll let you know if you'd qualify.

If you don't, could you set up a payment plan with the dentist?

belfastgirl23

Were you not able to make a claim on the car driver's insurance? Or did you have cyclists insurance? I'm not a big one for claim culture but you are out a heck of a lot of money and if the accident wasn't your fault then surely this is a possiblity?

koloko

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Toothsmith

NHS treatment would be the simplest, most cost effective way to get you dentally fit.

That may well be the worst teeth out and dentures.

From what you say in your first post about 'scrapping' them, that might not be a bad idea?

Partial dentures have been a perfectly good treatment for a great many years. True, nowadays there are things around that can save previously unsaveable teeth, but that costs time and money - and will probably only put off the day when they have to come out anyway.

Having your mouth smashed up is a very traumatic thing - there is no simple cheap answer for putting it back together again, and it will always be an 'ongoing' project.

On the plus side - you're alive. It could have been worse.

violetta

Were you not able to claim from the MIB?

http://www.mib.org.uk/Customer+Services/en/Accidents+in+the+UK/Untraced+Drivers+Agreement/Untraced+Driver+FAQs.htm

Looks as if it may be too late now, however, as has to be done within 3 years of accident

bargainbetty

Go here to find an NHS dentist. Ask you dentist if you can switch to NHS with her, since you cannot pay for any more expensive private treatment. Crowns are covered on the NHS, so she would probably rather have some business from you than none.

Or go elsewhere when you find a place - good luck

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/dentalhealth/Pages/finding-an-nhs-dentist.aspx

BOBS

DH lost all his top teeth in an accident (left them behind in the steering wheel) these were built up at the time. About 8 years later and a new dentist he underwent reconstructive work to sort his damaged gums out and teeth 'cemented' / bridged - really not sure what all he had done but involved top row from eye tooth to eye tooth - they are permenantly and individually fitted.
He was told by the dentist that there was a maximum fee that he could be charged and the rest would be taken care of by NHS - the paid this maximum which was £600 ish (about 3 years ago) - and the rest was funded for him.

coldstreamalways

In England, the new contract doesn't do the maximum charge thing, it used to be available before 2006 though.