NHS Dentist

seven-day-weekend

shelleyg222 wrote: »

I would certainly keep trying with your pct. My local PCT has arrangements with local dentists that they provide an hour a week to allow emergency treatment for non-registered patients. However, the PCT only refer severe toothaches and swellings which could be life threatening.
In addition to this, (i currently work in a dentist), if I were you I would keep trying your local dentists on a week to week basis. In our practice, we only take on new patients when the dentists feel their work load is lightening (they generally run at being booked up 2 months in advance for treatments). The opening of the books may be for days only, the amount of people wanting a dentist is frightening.
You also mention difficulty towards the cost of treatment, if you havent done so already you could complete a HC1 form, which assesses you for any help which you may receive towards the cost of dental treatment. This could be a full or partial exemption.
In terms of paying for a dental plan such as denplan, be warned as even though you pay an amount each month, you are still eligable for any lab work costs, such as dentures etc on top of this, and this is one of the most expensive parts of dentistry. Dental plans may seem a good idea, but the winner is not always the patient. None of the dentists at the practice I work use this plan.
Good luck, and dont give up on getting this sorted.

So surely it will be even more expensive if you DON'T use Denplan?? Because you will have to pay for the rest of the treatment as well as lab costs? (puzzledsmiley).

Who qualifies as an NHS patient anyway? I thought it was only people on means-tested benefits, children and pregnant women?

thegirlintheattic

Thanks all.

We're not eligible for HC1 as our income on paper looks good but just doesn't stretch far. Will be contacting PCT again for a long term solution and called back our nearest NHS dentist today and asked the receptionist to keep us on the waiting list.

Seven-day : Everyone is entitled to NHS treatment if you can find an NHS dentist. There are three price bands for treatment and it is non-means tested. You can also get free treatment if you are in certain categories i.e. under 18 etc. or get a discount with an HC1.

For that reason it is cheaper to go NHS rather than private. For example two NHS checkups would be (£34) whilst the cheapest dental plan I have found has been £15 a month.

littlerat

You may be able to phone for an emergency appointment - these can be often at dental schools and such, otherwise just with a specific emergency provider, you usually have to contact the PCT or something though.

Details here: http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1776.aspx?CategoryID=74&SubCategoryID=742

If they don't count it as an emergency, your only option will be your standard practise. They can't and won't force different local dentists to do it - thats what emergency ones are there for.


Edit: oh didn't see page 2 - the PCT should give you a number to the place that makes emergency appointments.

Also I know of several people in Cornwall who have now got NHS dentists at exeter or even taunton, the provisions are poor, and in some areas very poor.

seven-day-weekend

So in theory I could go to my Dentist (private, but he comes up on the list of those accepting new NHS patients) and say I want to be NHS?? Idf so, why isn't everyone NHS?

thegirlintheattic

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

So in theory I could go to my Dentist (private, but he comes up on the list of those accepting new NHS patients) and say I want to be NHS?? Idf so, why isn't everyone NHS?

As long as he is accepting 'fee-paying NHS' then yes. Some only accept charge-exempt patients or children on NHS. There are not many NHS dentists and they often change which is why not everyone is NHS. My NHS dentist back home it takes a month to get an appointment and you get seen by the most junior dentist who changes every year.

The treatment is not free but is in one of three bands. One is about £17, on about £40 and the other about £150 ish from memory, depending on how much treatment you need.

seven-day-weekend

thegirlintheattic wrote: »

As long as he is accepting 'fee-paying NHS' then yes. Some only accept charge-exempt patients or children on NHS. There are not many NHS dentists and they often change which is why not everyone is NHS. My NHS dentist back home it takes a month to get an appointment and you get seen by the most junior dentist who changes every year.

The treatment is not free but is in one of three bands. One is about £17, on about £40 and the other about £150 ish from memory, depending on how much treatment you need.

Ah, I think this is what my dentist does. He treated my son on the NHS when he was unemployed, but he had to go private once he got a job (he's now on the family Denplan).

I also think that is why I thought NHS people did not have to pay.

Thanks for the clarification.

akin_drum

thegirlintheattic wrote: »

The treatment is not free but is in one of three bands. One is about £17, on about £40 and the other about £150 ish from memory, depending on how much treatment you need.

NHS prices are as follows:

Band 1: £17 includes an examination, diagnosis and advice. If necessary, it also includes X-rays, a scale and polish and planning for further treatment.
Band 2: £47 includes all treatment covered by Band 1, plus additional treatment, such as fillings, root canal treatment and removing teeth (extractions).
Band 3: £204 includes all treatment covered by Bands 1 and 2, plus more complex procedures, such as crowns, dentures and bridges.

Most dentists take payments when you visit, with the balance being settled at the end of the treatment.

I tried to get an emergency appointment today, but all the dentists I called said that they would charge me as a private patient. If I can wait a couple of days for an appointment though, I will be treated as an NHS patient.

I am waiting - currently off work and dosed up to the eyeballs with painkillers

brook2jack

Unless you are in Wales where bands are 12,39 and 177 or Scotland and NI where there are still charges for individual treatments up to maximum charges of around £330 ish.

brook2jack

There is also band 4 emergency treatment only £17 England £12 Wales which does not include a check up etc . So you can be charged a band4 emergency fee, then when you come in for the permanent treatment that will be a separate course of band 1,2 or 3 treatment and charged seperately.

Arg

It's a pity more people weren't put in this situation to see what a joke the current system is and demand changes.