Incapacity benefit and NHS dental treatment.

needtoknow_4

Hi there,

I am on long term incapacity benefit and just fall outside the catagory of getting free NHS dental treatment, so I have to pay one of the 3 amounts chargable.

I went to make an appointment with my dentist today and was told by the receptionist that the dentist is now converting most of his patients to private and only treating NHS patients who don't have to pay such as people on income support, which excludes people like myself who are on incapacity benefit, but who do have to pay. I have checked with the local dental board in N ireland and it seems its totally up to the dentist whether he is going to treat me under the NHS chargable rates when he sees me in 5 weeks time. eg root canal treatment costs £43.50 under the NHS charge rates but will cost from £300-£400 under the private rates.

Any advice appreciated, surely this is discrimination against incapacity benefit people?

john

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Bannsider

John

I will relate my experience and hope it is helpful:

[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]In February 2006 I phoned my dentist in Carrickfergus.[/FONT]


[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]The receptionist informed me that the dentist had ceased NHS treatment and she didn’t think that there were any dentists left in Carrickfergus who take on new NHS patients. NHS patients could present themselves for treatment at the City Hospital in the evenings.[/FONT]


[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]I phoned another dentist and was informed that they are not taking on NHS patients. I explained my position and the receptionist suggested that I phone Central Services Agency on 02890 324431.[/FONT]


[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]The lady at CSA stated that the agency could not provide a list of dentists in the Carrick area who provide NHS treatment but I should look up yellow pages and phone round. I could also obtain a list of dental practices from the CSA (I think they were on their web site). [/FONT]


[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]She stated that there are some towns which are running out of NHS places and Carrick is one of them. I was advised to look closer to Belfast. If I was unsuccessful I should contact the Northern Health Board on 02825 311028.[/FONT]


[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]I got fixed up with a dentist in Newtownabbey.[/FONT]


[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Terry
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[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]
[/FONT]

Smurf71

http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/index/ssa/benefit_information/a-z_of_benefits/hs_treatment/dental_treatment.htm

I would check this link out to see if you can get assistance in paying for your dental treatment as well, on grounds of limited income.