Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Mr_Mister

Hi
I have a slight pain around the gums of my wisdom tooth and booked an appointment at my local dentist next week for a check up. They said the check up cost would be a NHS charge but if the Wisdom tooth needs extraction, it will have to be done Privately as there is more risks involved due to Covid.
Is this the new norm for dental clinics? 

Toothsmith

If you are seen on the NHS, and they say you 'need' treatment then that treatment should be on the NHS as well. If the treatment is harder than they feel able to do - then they could refer you privately somewhere to have it out, but hospitals have oral surgery departments, and you could be referred there where the treatment would be free. There is likely to be quite a wait for a hospital appointment though. So it depends how urgent it is, or how often it's flaring up.
There are more reasons to be careful with Covid - a different level of PPE is required, and it's a lot more expensive. Patients seen under NHS contract should not be charged extra PPE charges though. Those seen as private patients can be.