Misled by a dentist- Affect on credit rating?

supremo_2

I went to my registered dentist a couple of weeks ago, got a check up, polish etc and asked about cosmetic work and a price etc.


On the way home from my dentist I spotted another one around the corner, I walked in and asked if I could speak to someone about cosmetic work, they said they would get a dentist to speak to me if I waited for 5 mins. They took a few details.


I then went through to speak to the dentist, explained what I was looking for. He advised me hat the guy that did the cosmetic work was off sick but started looking about my mouth etc. I got an appointment to speak to the guy that was off sick regarding possibly getting some cosmetic work done.


Today I got a bill through the door for £50 for a "new patient exam" on the date I turned up ad hoc for a speculative chat about cosmetic work.


At no point was I made aware what he was doing looking in my mouth was going to cost me, he asked when I had last attended a dentist and I told him I had just left my own dentist 10 mins earlier.


Surely I have been ripped off and don't need to pay that? what are my options now?

DCFC79

Did you not think to ask about a charge ?

Why have the exam when you were just wanting to know about cosmetic work ?

I'd always ask if a fee is involved.

tomtontom

You said he started looking around your mouth, did he take x rays, make notes etc during the examination?

jaylee3

£50?! I thought it was only £18.50 for a check up anyway!

Or is this a private dentist (ie; not NHS.)

I gather you gave them all your details/name and address/phone number etc? If they have this, then I gather that you must have filled in a new patient form? Are you sure you didn't just not hear what they said?

Strikes me they may have the right to charge you because it sounds like you did join and have the first examination.

I mean, how come they knew where to write to etc? If you didn't fill in any form or anything?

supremo_2

I did fill in paperwork I thought it was just a thing they had to do, I had no intention of going to the dentist I have my own. He took two pictures of my teeth with a film, I have been charged £5 each for them and £40 for the first appointment.


I let him look around my mouth as I thought it was part of assessing my initial suitability for cosmetic work, he informed me that my teeth were in good shape, but after leaving my own dentist 10 minutes before this I knew that.


At no point was I aware or led to believe I was going to be charged I had planned to visit multiple dentists to get a rough guide so I knew who to go with.

GingerBob_3

Effect on credit rating? None. Not unless it went all the way to the County Court, you lost and didn't pay: an unlikely scenario in its entirety.

supremo_2

What happens if I refuse to pay?

molerat

He could take you to court.

chuckley

so you signed up to a new dentist had a check up inc X-rays and now you're refusing to pay?

when did an enquiry equal a full examination and you filling in a new patient form and giving them all of your details?

Something is missing from the is story...

Thrugelmir

supremo wrote: »

Surely I have been ripped off and don't need to pay that? what are my options now?

Dentists charge so that valuable time isn't wasted.............

Ask beforehand and read the small print next time.

supremo_2

Chuckley are you calling me a liar?
I had left my own dentist 10 minutes earlier. I did not need nor ask for a check up. I had absolutely no idea what info they would require before an assessment for cosmetic work, I assumed it was just a data gathering exercise so they could try and advertise or something. They asked for details and I provided them. At no point was cost discussed or intimated.