In AGONY with wisdom tooth but can't afford treatment

A_Couple_In_Love

I'm in a lot of pain with my wisdom tooth, where I am really struggling to sleep and don't get a break from the pain.

I was recently made redundant and therefore my partner is the only one working at the moment. We don't have any money to our self at all, therefore affording dental treatment is going to be impossible, even a checkup will be a struggle.

We are only claiming £35 Housing Benefit so I don't think I am entitled to free treatment on the NHS.

What do I do on situations like this? Do I really have to sit here and suffer in pain, or is there any such thing as free treatment out there?

Toothsmith

It's about £16 to go to an NHS dentist, and that should sort out acute problems and emergencies.

brook2jack

Get an hc1 form here http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/HealthCosts/Documents/HealthCosts/HC1_April_2016.pdf

And fill it out. You may be entitled to help with dental costs on the grounds of low income.

A_Couple_In_Love

Toothsmith wrote: »

It's about £16 to go to an NHS dentist, and that should sort out acute problems and emergencies.

Its £19.xx to be seen, but if anything needs doing, e.g. wisdom tooth removal, medication etc that is going to cost more.

I know that the checkup is going to be a waste of money as I know I won't be able to afford any actual treatment.

regprentice

Do you have a local out of hours clinic. they may be able to do something for you on he spot and they seem to take non nhs registered patients.

an example of my local clinic - http://www.nhs24.com/findlocal/emergency-dental-care/edinburgh-city-east-and-mid-lothian/

A_Couple_In_Love

regprentice wrote: »

Do you have a local out of hours clinic. they may be able to do something for you on he spot and they seem to take non nhs registered patients.

an example of my local clinic - http://www.nhs24.com/findlocal/emergency-dental-care/edinburgh-city-east-and-mid-lothian/

Not sure how this will help with the cost of the treatment, or am I missing something?

helcat26

Do you have a dental school near you? Some offer free or low cost treatment
http://www.dentalschoolscouncil.ac.uk/dental-schools/treatment/

regprentice

'If you require urgent care, you will only need to pay one Band 1 charge of £19.70. Most urgent treatments can be done in one appointment. However, if more than one visit is required and you return to the same dentist to complete your urgent treatment, the Band 1 urgent charge is all that you should pay.' according to the NHS.

As i read that, if they decide to remove the tooth there and then then they will charge £19.70. not free, but no additional charges over the first £19.70.

If you register for jobseekers then, from that point onwards, you will be entitled to free care.

'You can also get free NHS dental treatment if, when the treatment starts or when you’re asked to pay: you’re included in an award of Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance or Pension Credit guarantee credit or Universal credit (check entitlement after October 31 2015)'

Toothsmith

regprentice wrote: »

'If you require urgent care, you will only need to pay one Band 1 charge of £19.70. Most urgent treatments can be done in one appointment. However, if more than one visit is required and you return to the same dentist to complete your urgent treatment, the Band 1 urgent charge is all that you should pay.' according to the NHS.

As i read that, if they decide to remove the tooth there and then then they will charge £19.70. not free, but no additional charges over the first £19.70.

If you register for jobseekers then, from that point onwards, you will be entitled to free care.

'You can also get free NHS dental treatment if, when the treatment starts or when you’re asked to pay: you’re included in an award of Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance or Pension Credit guarantee credit or Universal credit (check entitlement after October 31 2015)'

That is technically true - but they are highly unlikely to do that. For one thing - if the tooth is 'agony' then it is very difficult to get it to go properly numb.

It is most likely that you would get something to make it more comfortable, and be referred on to the hospital oral surgery dept to get it removed - which would be free.

But - first of all you have to get to the dentist.

PasturesNew

If it hurts that much I'd rather go and pay now - and let some other bugg3r sing for their money when bills hit the mat in the next few weeks.

A_Couple_In_Love

Thanks everyone, your posts have really helped.

To summarise, if I pay book in for an emergency appointment, it will basically only cost a total of £19.70 "All In", that should cover my initial appointment and any treatments needed, even if that is done on another day?