COVID19 DENTIST CHARGING FOR PPE

shazcakes1

Hi, my mother just got a call from her dentist letting her know that she can pre-book an appointment for when they re-open but she has to agree to pay £43 towards the PPE.

I asked her if this was for every visit and she said she was not sure, she did mention the dentist said they were following government guidelines. Is this correct? Sorry my mother is 75 and I am worried that they may be try to take money that she does have to give - any advice is welcomed

bradders1983

This is going to be commonplace I am afraid. I have already seen a barber on Facebook claim he is going to have to charge a fiver more when he reopens to cover PPE and cleaning and a dentist is going to need a hell of a lot more than a barber.

Also bear in mind more cleaning equals less time to see people. If they could only see 20 people a day before, maybe that is down to 10 or 12 now and therefore costs will have to go up.

Semple

I've seen quite a few posts now where people are being charged by their dentists for PPE, but nowhere near £43!

I think i've seen around £8-10 per visit.

bradders1983

Yes I agree the amount seems a bit steep. Is this just for a normal check up or for a complex procedure that may take some time?

poppy12345

That does seem rather a lot. My hair salon is charging a few pounds for PPE, with a reduction if you use your own mask.

silvercar

Seems very high. Does that include follow on appointments? 
I wonder what happens with NHS patients where the charges are fixed.

shazcakes1

silvercar said:

Seems very high. Does that include follow on appointments? 
I wonder what happens with NHS patients where the charges are fixed.

I am not sure if it includes follow on appointment - I will get some clarity.

Thank you all for your quick responses!

Beverleybee

I have just been charges £7 at the dentist for PPE.  In response to the original ladys' post, I think your Mother got mixed up and she was quoted the full cost including this charge - £43 in total.
Its a little unfair that we suffer from reduced salaries through furlough, a noticeable increase in the cost of living,  and now this.  The dentists know the majority of us wont miss a visit  and will just take it on the chin.

bradders1983

The dentists will also be suffering with not being able to see as many people as they did before.

Thrugelmir

Beverleybee said:

Its a little unfair that we suffer from reduced salaries through furlough, a noticeable increase in the cost of living,  and now this.  The dentists know the majority of us wont miss a visit  and will just take it on the chin.

Are you suggesting that dentists should subsidise their patients? 

epm-84

Thrugelmir said:

Beverleybee said:

Its a little unfair that we suffer from reduced salaries through furlough, a noticeable increase in the cost of living,  and now this.  The dentists know the majority of us wont miss a visit  and will just take it on the chin.

Are you suggesting that dentists should subsidise their patients? 

A lot of dentists are private (not NHS) who charge around £20 more for an appointment than they get on the NHS.  You'd think given they effectively get a £20 per appointment top up by opting out of the NHS system that they could absorb the price of PPE, especially given they usually have masks and gloves available for dentists and dental nurses anyway, while face shields are reusable.