Is My Dentist ripping me off?

flashtash

attended my dentist 6 months ago for a check up and he gave me the all clear with no work done at all to my teeth, when I went back into the reception the girl tried to charge me £10.60 I told her I had no treatment done and she actually looked shocked, she said didn't the dentist even scale or polish them and I said no she then went into his room and when she came back out she apologized.It made me think that it appears to be standard practice for this dentist to scale and polish your teeth whether you want it done or not. Some of my friends have told me the dentist has went ahead with the scale and polish on them without asking.is this right? anyway 2 days ago I went back for another check up. Everything was fine he said, then he said I am just going to scrape the back of these 2 teeth (took him about 10 seconds) back into reception the girl charged me £10.60 I then asked her how much was a scale and polish, she replied £10.60,i told her I only had 2 teeth scraped and no polish so how is it still £10.60 she just gazed at me .I paid it and walked out. Didn't want to make scene as the place was busy

cavyslave

It is very rare that a dentist will just do a check up and nothing else. They would go out if business within weeks if that were to happen. I was a dental nurse for 14 years and it's pretty standard to do at least a scale and polish and usually X-rays to check for decay under existing restorations or between teeth. These areas would not necessarily be visible to the naked eye which is why X-rays are taken. If you don't want the scale and polish done just tell the dentist before the examination starts.

flashtash

cavyslave wrote: »

It is very rare that a dentist will just do a check up and nothing else. They would go out if business within weeks if that were to happen. I was a dental nurse for 14 years and it's pretty standard to do at least a scale and polish and usually X-rays to check for decay under existing restorations or between teeth. These areas would not necessarily be visible to the naked eye which is why X-rays are taken. If you don't want the scale and polish done just tell the dentist before the examination starts.

yep agree but for £10.60 why didn't I get them polished as well?

cavyslave

I agree, a scale and polish should mean exactly that; removal of scale/tartar and a good polish to get rid of stains. I would certainly query that with the practice manager because that's not on.

atolaas

That's cheap, the standard NHS charge for a check up is currently 18.50 including a scale and polish.

flashtash

free check up in Scotland

welshdent

The scaling is the important bit - thats what the NHS pays for. Removal of calculus and plaque retentive factors. it is NOT standard. They are provided on a need basis. Regards the "polish". This is not a pre requisite and only done if the dentist feels it is warranted to remove any stain if present. I rarely do it for example. Not because I am being difficult but because there would be nothing to polish off.

The act of scraping the back of your teeth constitutes a scaling. You may not feel it is sufficient but thats all they have to do with regards to their NHS agreements. If you dont like the charge then I am afraid all you can do is speak to the MSPs. In Wales and England it is more than that anyway if you have a scaling or not. In Wales we have free check ups for over 60s and under 25s but any scaling or x rays cancels that out and they pay the full band 1 charge of £13.

fairy_lights

The last time I went for a check up I had exactly that - a check up, no scale and polish, nothing else.
But I still had to pay for it though, I didn't think anyone got free check ups anymore?

welshdent

Depends where you are Fairy. In Wales and England we have a banded system so Band 1 would be the base bracket and youy pay the same if you have a check up, check up anbd x rays, check up x rays and a scale and polish etc. Scotland is fee per item with free check ups so they pay on top for additional items. There is no scope for discretion though. As soon as the dentist scrapes off calculus that is classes as a scaling and as such the appropriate charge is made regardless of if the patient feels much was done or not. We want NHS dentistry and that is how it is set up I am afraid. FWIW I dont think the dentist is ripping off the OP. a tenner is not worth the hassle believe me!!!

I think the first time the receptionist got confused and after that the scale was done anyway.

flashtash

welshdent wrote: »

Depends where you are Fairy. In Wales and England we have a banded system so Band 1 would be the base bracket and youy pay the same if you have a check up, check up anbd x rays, check up x rays and a scale and polish etc. Scotland is fee per item with free check ups so they pay on top for additional items. There is no scope for discretion though. As soon as the dentist scrapes off calculus that is classes as a scaling and as such the appropriate charge is made regardless of if the patient feels much was done or not. We want NHS dentistry and that is how it is set up I am afraid. FWIW I dont think the dentist is ripping off the OP. a tenner is not worth the hassle believe me!!!

I think the first time the receptionist got confused and after that the scale was done anyway.

i see what you are saying but in my dentists the prices are laid down in black and white £10.60 for a scale and polish(and that's fine by me) so if I pay for a scale and polish I expect it to be done as "Cavyslave" pointed out.If its only a Scale it should be less than £10.60..it would be like me selling the dentist bricks and cement for £10.60 but only handing over the bricks

brook2jack

The dentist doesn't set the fee scale, the nhs does. There are over 400 separate charges for treatment.
So the end result is you pay the same if tartar needs to be removed from two teeth or thirty two.