Free dental treatment question

butler_helen

I've asked this of my dental surgery and they "don't know" so I thought I'd ask here.

In November I had a private root canal under a microscope for 2+ hours and it's been great. I've since fallen pregnant and can't afford a white crown. Assuming I haven't signed a commitment to say I will take the private crown, can I now swap to a free nhs crown?

Also, I chipped a white filled tooth, will they fill it white or amalgam on the nhs? I would rather white if they are just patching it up but I understand if they do it in amalgam instead under the nhs rules.

My dentist seems reluctant to treat me now I'm "broke" and wanting their nhs services. Which feels really unfair!

brook2jack

Unfortunately a dentist has no obligation to take you on as a nhs patient. So you can ask if you can be taken on as a nhs patient to qualify for free nhs treatment , but they may not have the capacity to take you on or may limit nhs treatment to children etc .That does not stop you from going elsewhere that does do nhs treatment.

As to the white filled tooth , all you are entitled to is what is clinically necessary and it is unlikely that will be another white filling.

butler_helen

Ok, so I am an nhs patient who opted for private treatment last year. So they have to treat me as nhs for all future work? I.e I should already be an nhs patient.

Fair enough to the white vs non-white filling! I wasn't expecting the white one really

brook2jack

No, there is no such thing as registration in England and Wales any more. You are only a nhs patient of the practice for a course of treatment only. Outside of that time the dentist has no obligation to see you as a nhs patient, even in an emergency.

Most practices like to see preferentially people who regularly attend their practice but many PCTs set targets of new patients to be seen each month to increase access so many practices cannot offer appointments to patients when they want.

butler_helen

Ok - many thanks. I can't afford private so I will just have to find an nhs dentist if they say no. Seems a shame but I understand. Worse case scenario I leave it all as I'm not in pain, I assume the temporary filling will last a whole longer, in which time I might be able to save some pennies up.