MSE News: OFT calls for dentist industry shake-up

brook2jack

90% of dental disease is preventable.

A third of the British public brush once a day or less.

Less than a quarter floss

By the time they are five most British children will have some dental decay

Dental extractions are the most common reason for children needing a hospital GA in the UK

The average British person eats seven times a day

90% of people do not brush properly or for long enough

Over 86% of children who have a filling by the age of ten will go on to have more fillings/extractions

It is a common misconception dentists cure dental disease. They merely repair the damage it is ,on the whole, diet , lifestyle and oral hygiene measures that cure dental disease.

There are more dentists in the UK than there have ever been and most people use fluoride toothpaste yet after a slowdown in the seventies dental disease continues to be a problem. A problem which in 90% of cases is preventable. We almost all know how to prevent this disease (no more than three sugar attacks a day, brush twice a day for two minutes, floss or use interdental brushes, stop smoking) yet few of us do so.

I have had many Scandinavian colleagues who have come to practice in the UK for a few years because they NEVER get the level of decay and gum disease in Sweden as we do in the UK and are appalled at our poor diet and oral hygiene and the consequences.

mudpack

Went for a routine check up with our dentist, he charged me over £16.00 for checkup and then made me two appointments which will cost a futher 40 odd pounds, also said that I need a hygenist appointment which is another £28.50, I thought the cost of the check up was included in any further treatment that was necessary and not extra, and have been told that there shouldn't be a charge for the hygenist, its a minefield, anyone know the answers to these charges!!:)

Toothsmith

£16ish + £28.50 = £44.50ish which I think is the Band 2 NHS charge now.

In certain circumstances, a band 2 charge is appropriate if a more extensive cleaning is required, so I'm pretty sure you're still being treated on the NHS.

It's impossible to say if it's appropriate without seeing you - but I would suspect that it was. They probably should just have explained it more clearly to you.

coldstreamalways

Band 2 is £48 now.

brook2jack

Only in England. It's 41.10 in Wales and still item of service in Scotland and NI.

Any dental treatment should come with a written estimate. It is compulsory in nhs practice you should be given a fp 17dc with the charges on it, and privately you should ask for one.

This will clear up any confusion as to what you are paying for , what is nhs or private, and exactly how much you will be paying.