£515 for 4 fillings. Is this NHS dentist trying to rip him off?

welshdent

glad things are sorted for him. As a personal point of view, I would personally hate to be judged against a colleague. Just because one behaves badly doesnt mean they all will but I completely understand your point of view. We are all individual self employed and autonomous practitioners. Take that as you will but I do hope your boyfriend can find somewhere he is happy being treated.

METAL_MICKEY

brook2jack wrote: »

If a dentist has taken a patient on for NHS treatment they are obliged to offer what secures dental health. They cannot say you need a filling but we can only do it privately , we cannot do anything on the NHS.

Hmm that the nice theory but plenty of NHS dentists are forgetting that principle when a patient simply needs a basic S&P (not cosmetic and no bad CPTN score) and they insist they must see the private hygienist for about £40.

I think for the lay person its really difficult to appreciate what a mess the new dental contracts and how many dentists who were committed to the ethos of the NHS just can't afford to be so committed.

Despite some bad press my experience is that the vast majority of NHS dentists are totally trust worthy and committed to providing quality treatment. Of course there are always bad apples whether it be down to poor clinical judgment or right through to the very rare out and out fraudster. Back in the day of 400 Item of Service treatments there was plenty of scope for subtle boosting of earnings (padder items on the claim) and a few less subtle like the scams concerning Recalled Attendance and Dom Visits.

In defence of the dentists back in the pre new contract days the powers that be had an unhealthy assumption that every dentist who was earning good money must have been on the fiddle. The reality was that many principle dentists not only worked hard but had a very efficient practice set up. Another weakness was that one of the key personnel deciding on which dentists to chase was an ex audit office office statistician with no idea on the realities of real practice. He obvioulsy had never heard of the old adage "Lies, damn lies, and statistics".

twothirty

Hi, found this thread when looking for an NHS dentist, and there were some useful answers, so now trying a question of my own:

is it usual or at least plausible to be charged in advance (ie at time of booking appointment) for dental work?

I registered as NHS and paid in advance for dental hygienist at nhs rate, then also paid in advance for composite filling - private payment since not an NHS bit of work.

No quibbles about the work, which seemed to be carried out well, but curious about being charged in advance. I haven't been to the dentist in this country for a long time, so not sure if this is normal?

Thanks

Toothsmith

It is not uncommon to be charged in advance for dental work.

It is written within the NHS regulations that a dentist may charge NHS fees in advance, and many also charge private fees in advance also. Particularly if you are a new patient to the practice, and they don't know you.

welshdent

NHS work should always be charged in advance. I have had some people have complained to us about this but we dont set the rules. The DOH does. As such if one wants NHS care then they need to follow the requirements IMHO. I dont normally charge for private work in advance. Often because situations occur where I may expect one treatment then end up with something different once I start the work.