Dentist Overcharge

pampam

I think my Dentist is bending the rules?

 Each time I visit for a check up he checks my teeth then tells me to make an appointment with the Hygienist for a scale and polish.

 This ends up costing me £65.20. I think it should be £23.80 as stated in the details below taken from the NHS website.

Band 1 course of treatment – £23.80 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.
Band 2 course of treatment – £65.20 This covers everything listed in Band 1 above, plus any further treatment such as fillings, root canal work or removal of teeth but not more complex items covered by Band 3.

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

As far as I see it, scale and polish is band 2, so you are charged correctly.

sheramber

The appropriate words are 'if clinically needed'. 
  

MalMonroe

pampam said:

I think my Dentist is bending the rules?

 Each time I visit for a check up he checks my teeth then tells me to make an appointment with the Hygienist for a scale and polish.

 This ends up costing me £65.20. I think it should be £23.80 as stated in the details below taken from the NHS website.

Band 1 course of treatment – £23.80 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.
Band 2 course of treatment – £65.20 This covers everything listed in Band 1 above, plus any further treatment such as fillings, root canal work or removal of teeth but not more complex items covered by Band 3.

You are right. Scale and polish is in Band 1. You are not being charged correctly. This dentist isn't bending the rules, he's ripping you off.

I think you should challenge your dentist about this incorrect charging and if it were me, I'd ask for my money back.

Surely you shouldn't need a scale and polish EVERY time you have a check up?? 

Don't forget that no matter what your dentist tells you to do, you always have the option to say "no thank you, I don't think that's necessary right now".

And I'd be looking around for a more honest dentist too.

Torry_Quine

If it's needed for dental health then it's NHS but if you're recommended and go to the hygienist that's private.

giraffe69

Don't understand. He "tells you" to make an appointment with the hygienist. As above that part is private not NHS. If you don't want to do it then don't or go every other time or whatever you choose. You are, after all, the customer.

Undervalued

MalMonroe said:

pampam said:

I think my Dentist is bending the rules?

 Each time I visit for a check up he checks my teeth then tells me to make an appointment with the Hygienist for a scale and polish.

 This ends up costing me £65.20. I think it should be £23.80 as stated in the details below taken from the NHS website.

Band 1 course of treatment – £23.80 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.
Band 2 course of treatment – £65.20 This covers everything listed in Band 1 above, plus any further treatment such as fillings, root canal work or removal of teeth but not more complex items covered by Band 3.

You are right. Scale and polish is in Band 1. You are not being charged correctly. This dentist isn't bending the rules, he's ripping you off.

I think you should challenge your dentist about this incorrect charging and if it were me, I'd ask for my money back.

Surely you shouldn't need a scale and polish EVERY time you have a check up?? 

Don't forget that no matter what your dentist tells you to do, you always have the option to say "no thank you, I don't think that's necessary right now".

And I'd be looking around for a more honest dentist too.

Only if the work is clinically necessary to treat existing gum disease. Otherwise, if cosmetic or even "prudent preventative work" it is not included on the NHS (rightly or wrongly) so can be offered as a optional extra privately.

[Deleted User]

So are you guys down south getting NHS dental work done during pandemic? 

Up here in Scotland you can't get NHS routine work done yet!

ElefantEd

Well that's odd because I did, a month or so ago, and have an ordinary check up next week.

Torry_Quine

ElefantEd said:

Well that's odd because I did, a month or so ago, and have an ordinary check up next week.

Me too.  .

[Deleted User]

ElefantEd said:

Well that's odd because I did, a month or so ago, and have an ordinary check up next week.

Maybe your practice has enough capacity and resources to offer routine NHS work easily. My practice is working through backlog and can only offer limited spaces. Friends in work from different area cant get seen either on the NHS for routine treatment.