Confused about costs of denture repairs?

Hi,

My dentist fitted me with new denturesl on the NHS just over a year ago.

It says on the NHS website that you don't have to pay for denture repairs.

Last November, I thought a hole was coming on the denture gum, where a bottom molar bangs against it. I did ask for a tooth to be put there, as a hole occured in my last dentures. My dentist agreed, but, no tooth was added. I asked why, and told her a hole *will* come if left.

So, in November, I felt a hole coming, so instead of waiting untill my check up, which was today, I rang for an appointment so my dentist could check it out.

I asked the receptionist if I would have to pay, and she said no. My dentist said there wasn't an actual hole yet, but it did need filing down abit to protect it. I'm sure she also said I didn't have to pay.

When I went to pay the £17.50 today for my check up, the receptionist said I owed £17.50 from last November. I told her I didn't have to pay for that visit, but she said it was down that I did. I refused to pay it, and she said she will speak with my dentist about it, then ring me.

As it says on the NHS site that you don't have to pay for repairs, I can't understand why they want to charge me now? I wasn't asked for payment at the time either.

Could it be because *I* thought there was a repair to do but there was no hole, my dentist, later on, decided to charge me for her to have a look?


Thanks,
Candy53
What goes around, comes around.

Comments

  • brook2jack
    brook2jack Posts: 4,563 Forumite
    £17.50 is a check up fee OR denture adjustment fee. There is no fee for a denture repair, but once a denture is a year old there is a fee for adjustments. The dentist had a look , adjusted the denture , used up surgery time , there is a fee to pay.
  • To play devils advocate a little bit, are you actually being charged for the repairs themselves or just an appointment?
  • brook2jack
    brook2jack Posts: 4,563 Forumite
    No op is being charged for an adjustment to dentures which is a band one charge. Denture repairs do not carry a patient charge, but also often don't need surgery time they just need to be dropped off.

    To put into context a single room in a nhs practice will cost upwards of £130 an hour to run. All of that money only comes from what is earned by treatment, there is no other income from PCTs etc.
  • Candy53
    Candy53 Posts: 2,548 Forumite
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    edited 31 January 2013 at 2:41PM
    Well, this is where the confusion comes in for me. Surely, if it states on the NHS site that you don't have to pay for denture repairs, does this mean then that the actual repair, no matter how much it costs is free, but the appointment is charged? The NHS then should make this clear.

    Candy.

    Posted this before I saw your post brook2jack.
    What goes around, comes around.
  • brook2jack
    brook2jack Posts: 4,563 Forumite
    No you did not have a repair. The denture was not sent away to a laboratory. The dentist filed down the denture (they adjusted it) . This does entail a fee once the denture is a year old. http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/nhs-dental-band-charges.aspx?CategoryID=74&SubCategoryID=742

    Incidentally if you wanted a tooth adding to a denture this is not a repair and would be a band two charge.
  • Candy53
    Candy53 Posts: 2,548 Forumite
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    edited 31 January 2013 at 2:53PM
    Rite, so I've just thought about it from another angle.

    Say, I suddenly developed a hole, so I ring to get an appointment. My dentures will have to go to the lab, but, my dentist will still have to check them first to see what wants doing.

    So, I don't pay for the hole to be mended, but pay the Band 1 price for her to look at them?

    Candy.

    Sorry brook2jack, did it again. Takes me a while to write a post. Thanks for your replies.
    What goes around, comes around.
  • brook2jack
    brook2jack Posts: 4,563 Forumite
    Very possibly, it depends on how long ago your last check up was. It's not just to look at your dentures but also to look at you to see what is causing the problem. A straight forward repair e.g. dropped dentures most often just need to be dropped off.
  • Candy53
    Candy53 Posts: 2,548 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Yes, my dentist knows what is causing the problem and I told her what happened to my last dentures when she had these fitted. I have 6 month check ups.

    Oh well, they are right then, and I'll have to pay up. At least now I know how it all works. It is confusing though now how they do things.


    Candy
    What goes around, comes around.
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