NHS dentist - hygienist costs not covered?

~Chameleon~

I've finally managed to get myself registered with an NHS dentist and had my initial check-up today only to be told that I need to have two sessions with the hygienist at a cost of £40 per session :eek: as I am showing signs of periodontal disease

Is this normal practice to charge for a scale and polish with the hygienist?

I'm on benefits so usually exempt from paying dental charges and going to struggle to find the money to have this work done

dmg24

I had this problem as well, I was told that the hygienist had gone private.

I argued with my dentist that, as my scale and polish was for clinical reasons, he should do it as part of my NHS treatment. I think he got fed up of arguing with me, so he agreed to do it.

macaroni

My husband was told he needed a session or 2 with the hygienist when I persuaded him to go to the dentist 4 years ago.

It was £35 a session and as money was VERY tight back then he didnt go and hasnt been back since.

The charge is far too much and theyve got you in a corner, you either pay up and get the treatment you need, or dont and dont go back again.

ka7e

My dentist has also referred me to a hygienist, but has booked me a normal appointment in 3 months to comeback for a scale and polish. I assumed the hygienist appoinment was for some other form of treatment for gum disease!
He also recomended weekly rinses with Corsodyl mouthwash, but the bottle recommends daily treatment. My gum around my front teeth has receded, but I get no bleeding and it's only sensitive when the dentist sticks his metal prong in the gum margin!

~Chameleon~

I have to see the dentist next month to have a filling replaced but was told that it's up to me to arrange the appts with the hygienist, and was basically told that if I decided not to have the treatment done then I would more than likely lose all my teeth within 10 years!!!! :eek:

Do dentists take credit cards?

robnye

my dentist has stopped telling me to go.... mainly cos i didnt think i needed it and also refused to make an appointment. possibly my teeth cleaning regime has improved as well.

personally i dont think people need it if you look after your teeth well enough......

the old adage of look after something and it will last longer...... not sure what happened to my hair though..... :rotfl:

flower_72

Hi Chameleon,
i believe that scale and polish is part of Band 1 of NHS dentist charges. This is a copy of what it says on the nhs website:
Band 1 course of treatment – £15.90
This covers an examination, diagnosis (e.g. x-rays), advice on
how to prevent future problems, and a scale and polish
if needed.

Personaly, I would remind the dentist of this.
I don't think his contract with the nhs gives him the freedom to pick and chose what treatments he will do himself. If he says you need that treatment, then he has to provide it to you, himself as stated by nhs and at the sated price.
A call to the PCT might be in order too if your dentist still won't do it.

If you don't fancy going down the complaint route, you could ring around private dental surgery and ask how much is a visit to their hygienist. It's £36 at mine, an "all singing all dancing" private surgery.

TomsMom

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

Do dentists take credit cards?

Mine does. The surgery is one of those that was originally NHS but is now private. Not sure if all dentists take credit cards though.

macaroni

Im sure all dentists do take credit cards these days

roddydogs

checkup,Scale & Polish NHS is about £15, they dont like doing it and always try to get you to go to the hygenist, to make more money. stick to your guns and insist the dentist does it-ive found its just as good. trouble is its getting more and more basic. you could try another NHS dentist if u can get one;)

~Chameleon~

roddydogs wrote: »

you could try another NHS dentist if u can get one;)

Ha Ha! Do you know how many years it's taken me to find THIS one lol :rolleyes:

I've been thinking about what she said and I'm wondering if the treatment she's suggested with the hygienist is perhaps a little more extensive than just a regular scale and polish, hence needing two half hour sessions for it. I don't want to go making a fuss if what she's suggesting is actually normal practice.

She mentioned that I had a build-up of calculus (sp) under the gums that needs removing and also mentioned something about referring me to a specialist if necessary.

I probably should have asked more questions at the time but I have a huge fear of dentists so was quite anxious sitting in the chair, even though it was only for an examination and x-rays yesterday, and just wanted it over and done with as quick as possible