Duraphat - Over the Counter/ Reception Desk?

mynameistallulah

Quick question for the dentists if possible:

My (NHS) dentist recommended I use Duraphat toothpaste, but refused to provide a prescription. However they were happy to sell it to me "over the counter"/ reception desk for £4.75. Is there some exception to the normal pharmacy rules that allows them to do this?

Thanks in advance.

brook2jack

In England some PCTs are being very iffy about paying for duraphat toothpaste prescriptions. They either want the dentist to claim a band 1 charge £17.50 or to send off no claim at all which puts them in a difficult position medico legally.
To put that in English in some pcts if a dentist wrote out a prescription for duraphat toothpaste it would cost you £17.50 dental charge plus the prescription charge. So it is cheaper for you to buy.

Very shortly in England the band for writing a prescription will be totally removed so if you need duraphat toothpaste in between check ups then you will have to pay a band one charge £17.50 for the dentist to write a prescription. Of course that means that many people who pay dental charges may ask their gp to prescribe the toothpaste which the gp may or may not be happy to do so. it's a totally ridiculous situation.

mynameistallulah

Thanks brook2jack, that is quite an anomaly, albeit one which on this occasion does not benefit me, I don't pay prescription charges. I can see the legal difficulty in not prescribing it per se, but I guess it is a situation no one is going to question formally for the reason you describe - it is nonsensical. However you have given me the perfect solution, my GP is happy to prescribe anything I need (within reason!).

Thanks again!

Toothsmith

Do you pay dental charges?

If you don't then you could get it free still from your dentist, as he can still prescribe it and tick the Band 1 box like he's been told to, but you will be exempt from the £17.50 charge.