Initial registration fee at dentist?

moneyistooshorttomention

What's that?!!!

I'm having to register for a new dental practice where I have moved to and all the dentists here are quoting a one-off fee (called "registration fee" or "consultation fee") before they will take me on. That fee doesn't include any treatment of any description (be it examination/treatment/clean) and will be money just "vanishing into thin air", but I cant see any option but to pay it.

I've never been asked for that sort of thing before when starting at a new dentist. I just made my first appointment and had necessary work at that first appointment and just paid for the work done (be it examination, polish or treatment).

Is this some new thing that all dentists now charge (ie throughout Britain) or just something payable in Wales?

Understandably, I'm not very happy about the thought of having to pay for nothing. Or, is the terminology and lack of clearness of receptionists a bit misleading and I will actually be getting something for my money (ie that fee WILL include my first standard yearly examination)?

terra_ferma

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

What's that?!!!

I'm having to register for a new dental practice where I have moved to and all the dentists here are quoting a one-off fee (called "registration fee" or "consultation fee") before they will take me on. That fee doesn't include any treatment of any description (be it examination/treatment/clean) and will be money just "vanishing into thin air", but I cant see any option but to pay it.

I've never been asked for that sort of thing before when starting at a new dentist. I just made my first appointment and had necessary work at that first appointment and just paid for the work done (be it examination, polish or treatment).

Is this some new thing that all dentists now charge (ie throughout Britain) or just something payable in Wales?

Understandably, I'm not very happy about the thought of having to pay for nothing. Or, is the terminology and lack of clearness of receptionists a bit misleading and I will actually be getting something for my money (ie that fee WILL include my first standard yearly examination)?

Could it be the initial consultation? My dentist charges for a dental check, and you can't even see the hygienist without a full dental check first, done yearly. (this is private by the way, but I thought it may work similarly).

mumoffew

They shouldn't charge for that. Can you visit a different dentist and see if they have same procedure?

Toothsmith

Are you being taken on as an NHS or Private patient? How much is the charge?

System

A few years ago I remember going along to one dentist surgery in the city near me to see if they were registering NHS patients. They told me there was a £5 registration fee. Though £5 isn't a lot of money I couldn't see the justification in making this charge and I took my custom elsewhere!

I haven't noticed anywhere else charging what I presume is just an admin fee. I think you need to watch out with some surgeries, because they know people are desperate to find an nhs dentist and will take advantage.

Toothsmith

Charges like this for 'registration' aren't allowed for NHS patients.

BUT - it is important to know exactly what the charge is, and what it is for before making any accusations.

It IS all right for a practice to ask for the NHS fee up-front. So if that is what it is, then it's OK. If it's private fees, then it's up to a practice what and when they charge. But if you don't like it, find another one.

System

Toothsmith wrote: »

Charges like this for 'registration' aren't allowed for NHS patients.

BUT - it is important to know exactly what the charge is, and what it is for before making any accusations.

This is what made me think it is just an admin charge:

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

I'm having to register for a new dental practice where I have moved to and all the dentists here are quoting a one-off fee (called "registration fee" or "consultation fee") before they will take me on. That fee doesn't include any treatment of any description (be it examination/treatment/clean) and will be money just "vanishing into thin air", but I cant see any option but to pay it.

I've never been asked for that sort of thing before when starting at a new dentist.

Maybe the Op will come back and clarify. Is it NHS or private, and what did they say the fee was for?

DKLS

I had to pay an admin fee to join a private practice and an annual fee which covers insurance and travel cover, I didn't mind its the practice and specific clinician I wanted to see and they invest heavily in new technology.

moneyistooshorttomention

Sorry...I hadn't realised anyone else had replied.

It's a private practice. I think it looks like it is only possible to join a surgery here as a private patient. It's just as well my preference is to be a private patient anyway, particularly after this tiered charging structure the NHS brought in recently (which is not suitable for me, as someone who doesn't need much in the way of dental care).

It looks, from replies to date, that a private practice can do what they like as regards registration fees then and there is no comeback other than finding another one and, if they're all private and all doing it then there's a problem.

brook2jack

Many private schemes require you to be dentally fit before you join so you need an initial appointment to have a good look around and take x rays before you join. This will obviously be a substantial cost.

All privates schemes are administered by companies that charge an initial registration amount to cover the administration costs of setting up the scheme and direct debits etc. this cost is normally about £10 and doesn't go to the practice it goes to the company who administer the scheme.

koan_2

I think, OP, you need to contact the surgery and clarify what that fee was for. Charging for 'admin' is a bit cheeky, especially when 'admin' just entails inputting a few details onto the system (which is what admin staff are paid to do anyway!). I am not a private patient, so can't really give any feedback on that, but I can say I have never been charged to join a dentist or optician or GP surgery in my life!