Dentist query

rubynoodles

Down to my fear of dentists, I had let a hole in my tooth get bigger and bigger until last week could'nt put up with the pain any longer!

The dentist has put in a temporary filling and has left me with two options, I can have an nhs one which will cost me 48 pound (pound sign does'nt work on keyboard!!) or a white private one which will cost 120 pound.

Even though I will have to beg or borrow the money I would prefer the white one as I already have a really ugly nhs crown on the tooth next to this one.

However, the receptionist informs me that I am due a check-up which would be inclusive if I go for the nhs option or and extra 18 pounds if I choose the white filling - I said that I didnt want the check-up at the moment but she has said they will not do treatment without it!!

Surely I can refuse to have a check-up and just have the treatment. I really can not afford the 120 let alone an extra 18 pounds on top!!

I dont know my rights as a consumer when it comes to things such as dentistry work - can someone help?

elsien

You do need a check up first. Just in case there's other things going on that might have a bearing on the most suitable options. When was your last check up? I think she's offering you the NHS check up which is the £18 on its own, the £48 is band 2 which is checkup and some treatments. You do need to consider the possibility that a check up might show other things that need treating, which could also fall into the same treatment band.

maninthestreet

£120 for a crown sounds cheap.....

geri1965_2

How much did you pay for the temporary filling?

geri1965_2

maninthestreet wrote: »

£120 for a crown sounds cheap.....

It's for a filling, not a crown.

rubynoodles

I paid 18 pound for the temp filling last week, my last check-up was 6 months ago.

Maninthestreet-sorry not sure if I worded it right but the 120 is for a white filling I already have the crown (that was 250 last year).

rubynoodles

ps:- forgot to say that I do intend on having the check-up in the next couple of months, as I do have them regularly but I just really cant afford it on top of the filling. I want to call them today as the temp filling is causing me pain and wanted to know what to say to them if they insist on me having the check-up!

geri1965_2

There are three NHS bands - £18, £49 and £200 (ish). I would have thought if you had already paid £18 for the temporary filling, the dentist cannot charge another £18 for the check up.

There are some dentists on here who should be able to confirm the position.

peachyprice

Surely the check up would had to have been done before they did the temp filling if it's necessary before any treatment can commence?

rubynoodles

I have just rung them in the hope of getting in today and spoke to another receptionist. I explained that I really can not afford to pay the extra 18 pound on top of 120 and she said I should mention this to the dentist and I should be able to just have the filling.

shaun_from_Africa

rubynoodles wrote: »

(pound sign does'nt work on keyboard!!)

I can't offer any dental advice ( I think it's all been covered), but can help with the £ sign.

If you hold down the Alt key on your keyboard and type in 0163 whilst Alt is depressed, this should give you the £ symbol.