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Is it free to see a doctor? Why not a dentist?
Will81
Posts: 11 Forumite
Is it free for all working age adults to see a doctor?
If yes, then why isn't it the same for dentistry?
If yes, then why isn't it the same for dentistry?
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Comments
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Well it's not technically free but that's another discussion. You would have to ask her majesties governments of the last 50 or 60 years. Labour introduced charges for nhs dentistry which prompted the resignation of nye bevan if memory serves.
Nhs dentistry and nhs medicine however operate on completely different mechanisms. Dentistry for example has only a hand full of what you would call truly nhs. That is to say those salaried by the nhs. They work in community and hospitals. All the rest are independent and do contractual work for the nhs according to an "agreed" structure. It's not really agreed but again. Another discussion. So dentists do work and in effect bill the nhs for work carried out. I have simplified greatly but that's the gist0 -
Most GPs are also businesses providing NHS services under contract. It's only hospitals where the bulk of services are actually provided by 'the NHS'.
In Scotland dental and eye check ups are free for everyone.A kind word lasts a minute, a skelped erse is sair for a day.0 -
Well it's not technically free but that's another discussion. You would have to ask her majesties governments of the last 50 or 60 years. Labour introduced charges for nhs dentistry which prompted the resignation of nye bevan if memory serves.
Nhs dentistry and nhs medicine however operate on completely different mechanisms. Dentistry for example has only a hand full of what you would call truly nhs. That is to say those salaried by the nhs. They work in community and hospitals. All the rest are independent and do contractual work for the nhs according to an "agreed" structure. It's not really agreed but again. Another discussion. So dentists do work and in effect bill the nhs for work carried out. I have simplified greatly but that's the gist
You explained some things I already understand and some new things new to me.
Aneurin Bevan... resigned April 1951...
on sochealth
bevans-resignation-speech-23-april-1951/
(cannot post the link as I'm "new")
Thank you for the reference.
Frankly I was mostly looking for the logic behind why dentistry is so different to hospital and even doctor funding. I assume it was primarily a cost cutting measure by people who don't care about the teeth of the poor.0 -
Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »In Scotland dental and eye check ups are free for everyone.
So if I move to scotland (as an Englishman) I can get free dental and eye care!
What about orthodontistry?0 -
No, just check-ups. Treatment costs money.A kind word lasts a minute, a skelped erse is sair for a day.0
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Is it free for all working age adults to see a doctor?
If yes, then why isn't it the same for dentistry?
Because for the country to be able to afford this, we would all have to pay more tax, or accept something else to be cut.How to find a dentist.
1. Get recommendations from friends/family/neighbours/etc.
2. Once you have a short-list, VISIT the practices - dont just phone. Go on the pretext of getting a Practice Leaflet.
3. Assess the helpfulness of the staff and the level of the facilities.
4. Only book initial appointment when you find a place you are happy with.0 -
So if I move to scotland (as an Englishman) I can get free dental and eye care!
What about orthodontistry?
You can probably get a free check up.
Anything else, like treatment, you would still pay an NHS charge.
Orthodontics is private-only for all UK adults apart from a few extreme cases where surgery is also necessary.How to find a dentist.
1. Get recommendations from friends/family/neighbours/etc.
2. Once you have a short-list, VISIT the practices - dont just phone. Go on the pretext of getting a Practice Leaflet.
3. Assess the helpfulness of the staff and the level of the facilities.
4. Only book initial appointment when you find a place you are happy with.0 -
True but even in their case their funding is not totally linked to the work they do. In dentistry it is. KPI's five additional funding but we have funding based on courses of treatment. Do not treatment get no money. That's one of the reason I get frustrated when you see scaremongering about dentists "salaries". For a start we aren't salaried and then we only actually earn money for work done according to the issued and agreed contracts.0
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I rarely pay anything, because I look after my teeth. Have my check-ups and are waved off.
That's until I got a flipping abscess and had to have root canal treatment.Member #14 of SKI-ers club
Words, words, they're all we have to go by!.
(Pity they are mangled by this autocorrect!)0 -
Its very similar for opticians. They are contracted on a per appointment fee rather than a list basis like the GP's.
It goes back to the early days of the NHS when essentially it couldn't be decided whether eyecare should be in or out. So it remains 1/2 in.0
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