Private dentist abusing NHS

Undervalued

Welshspacechick said:

So I'm getting exactly the same treatment as a NHS patient but because of my dentist opting out of taking NHS patients (his words) I have to pay privately? 
In my opinion if he's going to charge me a ridiculous amount of money to do the work he should at least fork out for the equipment he needs or charge me at the NHS bands level. 

I understand your frustration but these are two separate issues.

Any qualified dentist (or doctor) can choose to opt out of the NHS system and just offer their services privately. As I understand it the two very helpful dentists who offer advice on this forum have done just that. That is entirely their privilege. Again, as I understand it, they feel that the constraints of the NHS dental system severely limits the level of care and range of treatments they can offer their patients. Also the fees paid to dentists by the NHS, which are completely different to fees paid by most NHS patients, make it difficult for them to earn a respectable income that reflects the many years they have spent training.

In many areas (although seemingly not round here) that leads to a severe shortage of NHS dental practices. That is a matter for the government to address although I won't hold my breath waiting.

So, because of this, you are seeing a private dentist who wants a very specialised X-Ray taking before carrying out any treatment. Like most high street practices he only has standard X-Ray equipment, suitable for most everyday purposes, but not for your specialised need. So he refers this out to somewhere that has the necessary equipment, which in this case happens to be a NHS dental hospital. They accept private referrals, subject to capacity, and raise a bill for their services.

Frustrating as it is for you, that is all totally proper. Your understandable anger should be directed at the government and not at the dentist.

diystarter7

OP
Thanks for coming back etc.
I'm with you on this one and appreciate the distress and upset you have faced but I hope the explanations given here by some good posters have made things easier for you to digest.
I hope your teeth are sorted.
Take care and enjoy your weekend.

silvercar

Undervalued said:

Welshspacechick said:

So I'm getting exactly the same treatment as a NHS patient but because of my dentist opting out of taking NHS patients (his words) I have to pay privately? 
In my opinion if he's going to charge me a ridiculous amount of money to do the work he should at least fork out for the equipment he needs or charge me at the NHS bands level. 

I understand your frustration but these are two separate issues.

Any qualified dentist (or doctor) can choose to opt out of the NHS system and just offer their services privately. As I understand it the two very helpful dentists who offer advice on this forum have done just that. That is entirely their privilege. Again, as I understand it, they feel that the constraints of the NHS dental system severely limits the level of care and range of treatments they can offer their patients. Also the fees paid to dentists by the NHS, which are completely different to fees paid by most NHS patients, make it difficult for them to earn a respectable income that reflects the many years they have spent training.

In many areas (although seemingly not round here) that leads to a severe shortage of NHS dental practices. That is a matter for the government to address although I won't hold my breath waiting.

So, because of this, you are seeing a private dentist who wants a very specialised X-Ray taking before carrying out any treatment. Like most high street practices he only has standard X-Ray equipment, suitable for most everyday purposes, but not for your specialised need. So he refers this out to somewhere that has the necessary equipment, which in this case happens to be a NHS dental hospital. They accept private referrals, subject to capacity, and raise a bill for their services.

Frustrating as it is for you, that is all totally proper. Your understandable anger should be directed at the government and not at the dentist.

Excellent post, but I'm not convinced on this point. I think they can provide this on the NHS. So they won't raise a bill. It is similar to a private dental patient phoning 111 when the dentist is closed. As an individual you are entitled to access this service, irrespective of whether you choose to be treated NHS or privately. 

brook2jack2

It depends on area but most areas will charge a private dentist for the referral for x rays , as they will not have access to the e referral system that most areas use these days. 

Even on the paper forms you have to put if you are private or NHS dentist so a bill can be raised. 

Ibrahim5

The only really crooked thing that could happen is that the dentist charges you for the X-ray but the hospital doesn't charge the dentist. NHS hospitals and their staff are paid for by the taxpayer. The staff are more interested in doing X-rays than creating invoices. That's why people from all over the world and British expats complain about the NHS but still come back for the 'free' healthcare.

Floss

Ibrahim5 said:

The only really crooked thing that could happen is that the dentist charges you for the X-ray but the hospital doesn't charge the dentist. NHS hospitals and their staff are paid for by the taxpayer. The staff are more interested in doing X-rays than creating invoices. That's why people from all over the world and British expats complain about the NHS but still come back for the 'free' healthcare.

NHS hospitals are slightly more commercially minded nowadays, as the number of procedures performed in all areas is submitted to NHSE for activity & performance data. It is unlikely that a dental x-ray requested by a private dentist would be overlooked for charging.

welshdent

Its absolutely allowed and happens quite often. He is trying to enhance his diagnosis of your condition and understanding of relevant anatomy. He isnt taking the mick, taking advantage or gaming the NHS. Its just an x ray and he would "profit" if you had it done or not. This way he will "profit" more safely for you.