Why do i get Hygienest charges at the dentist

collectors

Hi, it says in the NHS guide that the lowest fee is as below:
"This covers an examination, diagnosis (including X-rays), advice on how to prevent future problems, a scale and polish if clinically needed, and preventative care such as the application of fluoride varnish or fissure sealant if appropriate."
Yet over the last 10+ years when i go to a dentist i always get a referral to the hygienist at a cost of an extra £30.00. Why?
At my last appointment a few days back i was asked a couple of medical questions & then a quick look in my mouth which took less than 2 minutes & a recommendation to see the "yes" hygienist. This should be part of my treatment. What happened.
Do you have to pay twice for treatment.

PasturesNew

Because you are choosing to see the hygienist and you don't have a "clinical need".

Although they are recommending you see a hygienist, there is no clinical need. Clinical need is where there's a hideous nasty something going on that needs dealing with.

The dentist probably doesn't know you're NHS unless they sit and specifically look it up - they will recommend it to everybody.

indiepanda

My dentist is NHS and always refers me to the hygienist and never does a scale and polish himself. But he certainly suggested I needed it - pointed out that plaque was leading to gum erosion.

I assume it's the practice's way of trying to turn a profit - lose money on the consultation and make it back on the hygienist. But as I wasn't expecting to get an NHS dentist anyway (I can't claim to be hard up and in need, it's just the nearest dental practice to me) I don't complain about it. When I went private to a dentist he didn't really do a scale and polish either, just sent me to the hygienist. Wonder if most dentists don't do it themselves now?

IAmWales

PasturesNew wrote: »

Because you are choosing to see the hygienist and you don't have a "clinical need".

Although they are recommending you see a hygienist, there is no clinical need. Clinical need is where there's a hideous nasty something going on that needs dealing with.

The dentist probably doesn't know you're NHS unless they sit and specifically look it up - they will recommend it to everybody.

A form needs to be completed for every NHS consultation, there's no doubt the dentist will know the patient is NHS.

The dentist should not be recommending the hygienist to everybody if they do not have a need for it.

It's an area the NHS needs to either clarify the rules on, or crack down on unscrupulous dentists referring patients for services they do not need.

(I'm not suggesting all dentists are unscrupulous, but this practice is all too common.)

ManofLeisure_2

indiepanda wrote: »

My dentist is NHS and always refers me to the hygienist and never does a scale and polish himself. But he certainly suggested I needed it - pointed out that plaque was leading to gum erosion

If your dentist stated that plaque was leading to gum erosion, then maybe a visit to a hygienist is in your best interest. More time can then be spent on addressing your issues.

IAmWales

ManofLeisure wrote: »

If your dentist stated that plaque was leading to gum erosion, then maybe a visit to a hygienist is in your best interest. More time can then be spent on addressing your issues.

In which case this should be covered by the NHS charge, not in addition to it.

calleyw

IAmWales wrote: »

In which case this should be covered by the NHS charge, not in addition to it.

I was told I had loose teeth and needed to see the hygienist had to pay £45 per session. Which was on top of my NHS fee. Or see a specialists for over a £1K to stop me from losing my teeth!!!!

It really hurt and I keep cancelling as I can't take that sort of pain or afford it.

My previous dentist did a scale and polish every time. And said to me my teeth where fine.

So I should not have to pay for a hygienist sessions then?

Yours

Calley X

brook2jack

If you have gum disease and the dentist has done an NHS check up they have to offer you NHS treatment for gum disease. That may week take you into band two treatment in England and Wales which is £45 to £53 ish. Scotland and NI have different charges. They cannot say to get the best treatment you have to see the hygienist privately.

In many areas periodontists (gum specialists) are either not available or have very long waiting lists so someone needing specialist treatment will often only get that privately.

If you have a NHS check up and are offered private treatment as well the dentist has to give you a fp17dc form detailing what is NHS and what is private and the charges.

If you have no signs of gum disease but have stain or tartar you wish to have removed that will be done privately.

If you wish to see a hygienist it will probably be private as very few surgeries can afford to use a hygienist on the NHS.

In other words treatment for gum disease on the NHS will be by a dentist rather than hygienist, however the treatment is useless unless you make lifestyle changes eg smoking ,diabetes control and cleaning changes eg use tepe brushes daily.

calleyw

brook2jack wrote: »

If you have gum disease and the dentist has done an NHS check up they have to offer you NHS treatment for gum disease. That may week take you into band two treatment in England and Wales which is £45 to £53 ish. Scotland and NI have different charges. They cannot say to get the best treatment you have to see the hygienist privately.

In many areas periodontists (gum specialists) are either not available or have very long waiting lists so someone needing specialist treatment will often only get that privately.

If you have a NHS check up and are offered private treatment as well the dentist has to give you a fp17dc form detailing what is NHS and what is private and the charges.

If you have no signs of gum disease but have stain or tartar you wish to have removed that will be done privately.

If you wish to see a hygienist it will probably be private as very few surgeries can afford to use a hygienist on the NHS.

In other words treatment for gum disease on the NHS will be by a dentist rather than hygienist, however the treatment is useless unless you make lifestyle changes eg smoking ,diabetes control and cleaning changes eg use tepe brushes daily.

It was an NHS dentist. Given no forms and told I needed at least 4/5 sessions with the hygienist at £45 quid a session.

I guess being told that I would lose my teeth and they are loose at the moment. From that I assume I have gum disease. So should I not be paying to see the hygienist?

Yours

Calley

brook2jack

If the dentist did your check up as a NHS patient then they have to offer you NHS treatment for gum disease. This will probably not be with a hygienist and will be in a band two charge if you are in England or Wales.

I suggest you phone the practice and enquire why you were not offered NHS treatment and ask for a copy of your fp17dc estimate form which you should have been given as you are having a mixture of NHS and private treatment.

The fee given by the NHS no where near covers the cost of four or five appointments with a dentist or hygienist, but even so the dentist has to offer you treatment for gum disease if they have accepted you as a NHS patient. Do you sign a form each time to say you were having NHS treatment? There is no such thing as a NHS dentist , a dentist may treat some patients on the NHS others privately and you cannot assume you are an NHS patient unless you sign NHS forms.

However the most important thing is to get and follow advice about how you can manage your gum disease. It is never cured,just controlled , and that is by making lifestyle choices about smoking and cleaning effectively. You should ask whoever you see to show you how to clean effectively and well.

indiepanda

ManofLeisure wrote: »

If your dentist stated that plaque was leading to gum erosion, then maybe a visit to a hygienist is in your best interest. More time can then be spent on addressing your issues.

I wasn't suggesting it wasn't. Was merely responding to the suggestion that if the OP had been told to see the hygienist rather than getting a scale and polish as part of the NHS fee that it wasn't clinically necessary treatment. If I believe it wasn't necessary, I wouldn't go. I can't stand having my teeth scaled and polished (bit sensitive so it hurts) so it had better be doing some good.