We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Dentists

Options
My wife's latest dentist invoice is £96, roughly split between an examination and scaling. I'm not sure whether I find this outrageously expensive (hence the rant) or whether this is simply what a dentist costs these days. And apparently the cheeky guy said the picture he took of her teeth was free like it was a great deal!!

Because I don't go to the dentists myself (precisely because you go in for a normal check-up and leave with a £100 bill), I have no idea quite why my wife has been charged this much when the nhs website says £19 covers the cost of examination and scaling treatment. Or is it different if this is a private dentists? What's the difference between the two?

I still can't believe that most people have £100 spare to go to the dentists every six months...
«1

Comments

  • enfield_freddy
    enfield_freddy Posts: 6,147 Forumite
    nhs
    private


    guess the difference , there is a small clue in those two words
  • stevemLS
    stevemLS Posts: 1,067 Forumite
    Your wife plainly had private treatment.

    The cost of a Band 1 course of treatment on the NHS is currently £18.80.

    This does not represent what the NHS pays to the dentist, which varies.

    In exactly the same way as you pay a standard prescription charge of £8.20 on the NHS whereas the drugs if you had a private prescription could cost anything from pennies to £000s.

    £96 for a private exam, scale and polish and at least one x-ray doesn't sound beyond the pale.
  • DaveTheMus
    DaveTheMus Posts: 2,669 Forumite
    Herbalus wrote: »

    I don't go to the dentists myself

    Maybe Halitosis would be a more appropriate username...
    We’ve had to remove your signature. Please check the Forum Rules if you’re unsure why it’s been removed and, if still unsure, email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com
  • DaveTheMus wrote: »
    Maybe Halitosis would be a more appropriate username...

    There is no reason at all why not visiting a dentist on a regular basis must automatically lead to halitosis or any other similar condition.

    Provided good oral and dental hygiene is practiced, keeping a healthy mouth is something that can be accomplished without having to fork out for scheduled checks provided that professional help was sought as and when required.
  • dodger1
    dodger1 Posts: 4,579 Forumite
    Herbalus wrote: »
    My wife's latest dentist invoice is £96, roughly split between an examination and scaling. I'm not sure whether I find this outrageously expensive (hence the rant) or whether this is simply what a dentist costs these days. And apparently the cheeky guy said the picture he took of her teeth was free like it was a great deal!!

    Because I don't go to the dentists myself (precisely because you go in for a normal check-up and leave with a £100 bill), I have no idea quite why my wife has been charged this much when the nhs website says £19 covers the cost of examination and scaling treatment. Or is it different if this is a private dentists? What's the difference between the two?

    I still can't believe that most people have £100 spare to go to the dentists every six months...

    That's expensive if split between the two procedures. My private dentist charges me £18.45 for a check up.

    With regard to £100 every six months, well most people who look after their teeth will not need a scale and polish that regularly unless the dentist is fleecing them.
    It's someone else's fault.
  • Sharon87
    Sharon87 Posts: 4,011 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Last time I went dentist (a couple years ago, I should really go again soon...) It was around £19 for a check up and £50 for the private hygienist to descale and polish. Maybe your wife's dentist is split up like that, but the descale and polish costs more?
  • dodger1
    dodger1 Posts: 4,579 Forumite
    Just got back from my six months check up. Check up is now £19.20, I didn't need a scale and polish but the price is £20.15. That's it until 14th October.
    It's someone else's fault.
  • philatio
    philatio Posts: 678 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Combo Breaker
    My (private) dentist changed hands last year and the prices are now more than double what they were.
    £35 for a checkup. £50 for a scale and polish. £10 per x-ray.
    3 re-fillings which I'm pretty sure didn't really need doing - £300+

    Suffice to say I've just signed up to an NHS dentist instead.
  • My private dentist is about £38 for a check up and worth every penny after a poor experience with the NHS.
    Don't trust a forum for advice. Get proper paid advice. Any advice given should always be checked
  • pinkshoes
    pinkshoes Posts: 20,535 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    When I go for my NHS check up, I always get asked if I would like to book an appointment with the hygienist. This would then be at private prices, as my dentist offers so many NHS places, them also sees private patients.

    Your wife has clearly not registered herself as an NHS patient, and visited the dentist as a private patient.
    Should've = Should HAVE (not 'of')
    Would've = Would HAVE (not 'of')

    No, I am not perfect, but yes I do judge people on their use of basic English language. If you didn't know the above, then learn it! (If English is your second language, then you are forgiven!)
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 350.9K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.5K Spending & Discounts
  • 243.9K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 598.8K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.9K Life & Family
  • 257.2K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.