NHS Dental Charges

brook2jack

Pcts do not exist anymore, and the way ccgs and lhbs administer the contract falls far outside their original remit.

But op had check up, some fillings done , an appointment for further fillings which they cancelled and then they made a new appointment at a later date , because of their work schedule for over 2 months later. The practice had made appointments in an appropriate time , they sent reminders , as a result of which an appointment was rearranged.

Op chose to make the appointment for over two months in the future. They should have been warned that the first course of treatment would be shut down and a new charge would ensue but the length in between appointments was not due to the practice , which had scheduled appointments quickly and was not "splitting treatment". Many practices have signs and entries in their websites warning about this e.g. Here http://www.pontesburydental.co.uk/patient-information/

You cannot send off a band two treatment without doing a new check up and you can argue that someone who needs four fillings in a course of treatment shouldn't be left four months without having another check up anyway.

The practice is not "gaming " it made appropriate appointments and the length of time in between appointments was due to ops work schedule, when the new appointment was made.

Many practices now have notices in waiting rooms warning that leaving too long in between appointments may result in courses being closed down. This is a particular problem around the end of the NHS financial year when NHS practices are penalised if they don't hit UDA targets and treatment carried over into a new year doesn't count for previous years targets.

As you say many, many parts of a practice are monitored statistically and practices that are out of line are penalised very heavily. It can be argued that a practice that has made three appointments for a band two treatment is already heavily financially penalised .

pippa2018

Hi
Please be gentle, this is my first post...I am not even sure if I am posting in the right place.

During a non-dental related surgical procedure over a year ago, three of my upper front teeth were broken due to the breathing tube inserted during a general anaesthetic. Within days of the surgery, three of my teeth split and crumbled into dust. I contacted the hospital who carried out the surgery, who examined my teeth and have effectively washed their hands of any responsibility.

I am in receipt of income-related ESA. I understood this entitled me to free NHS dental care to repair the damage caused by the hospital. I am in urgent need of root canal treatment for several teeth plus crowns for my front teeth and treatment for severe infections. I am unable to bite or chew food at present. Am I not permitted to have this Band C work done free of charge given my personal circumstances? I have visited several dentists who all claim I must pay for this work. I have written to the NHS Dental Authority for clarification on this matter (sent recorded delivery) but have not received a response.

Are their any genuine dentists out there who can advise me further?

brook2jack

Income related ESA does entitle you to free NHS dental treatment.

However if you have oral health problems that involve many teeth with many infections the NHS treatment that is offered you may not be what you would prefer.

NHS treatment is to secure oral health. If you have multiple problems with teeth and gums you may be offered extractions (teeth out) and a denture on the NHS rather than multiple root treatments and crowns. It may be that you have been quoted for private treatment which you would have to pay for.

Any estimate you quote what is private and what is NHS treatment and the charges.

In general intubating someone will not damage healthy teeth , but can loosen crowns or bridges or damage teeth that are already heavily filled or decayed.