Partner paying privately for Dentist appointment whilst Pregnant. Is this the way it goes now?

Diego_Francis

Hello, 

Appologies to the forumites and mods who've probably sifted through posts similar to this over the years. I can't find what I'm looking for so compelled to post. 

My girlfriend is pregnant with our third child. Let's be clear this isn't anything to do with the amount of kids we've chosen to have to please don't focus on that. 

She was originally a member of an NHS dental practice but in 2020 she was booted out, last in first out was what we were told.

She hasn't had any  appointments since. 

Me and our two boys are with an NHS dental practice. Unfortunately my girlfriend can't sign up because they've gone private now and are only accepting private applicants. 

She's decided to pay the £60 private pay as go membership to get an appointment.

She only ever used the maternity benefit once with our first child and didn't need to with the second because noone was taking on back in 2021.

Is this the way forward now? 

There is free dental care on NHS for pregnant mothers. If she's paid privately is that it? Or can she claim back from the NHS? 

She works full time and pays National insurance which I thought is what goes towards dental healthcare?

Just confused with whether she can claim back or not? 

Thanks for your time. 

Spoonie_Turtle

It's difficult to find dentists who do NHS work and even more difficult to find dentists who will take on new NHS patients regardless of their circumstances.  A few dentists frequent the Health and Beauty board who can comprehensively explain why this is (basically NHS contracts rarely cover the cost of doing the work, although there's a bit more to it than that which those members can explain better).

In terms of claiming a refund for private treatment, others may be able to confirm or correct but it's my understanding that this is not possible, because it was private treatment.  Refunds are only possible if NHS treatment was paid for when the person was exempt.

HillStreetBlues

No, can not claim it back.
It's been an issue for a while
https://inews.co.uk/news/health/nhs-denntist-appointment-1m-pregnant-women-and-new-mothers-denied-free-dental-care-1837632

KxMx

I'm on UC and quality for free NHS dentistry, currently looking into going to a private dentist who offers 0% finance to get the work done that I need- repair a badly chipped front molar.

Yes, that's the way forward with dental care in this country.
You go without, or find a way to pay. 

HillStreetBlues

KxMx said:

I'm on UC and quality for free NHS dentistry, currently looking into going to a private dentist who offers 0% finance to get the work done that I need- repair a badly chipped front molar.

Yes, that's the way forward with dental care in this country.
You go without, or find a way to pay. 

I moved so now have a 120 mile round trip to dentist as getting a new NHS one is rarer than hen's teeth.

Diego_Francis

All, thanks for your input. What a dire situation this is for all of us. Better get saving for myself then as I doubt NHS dental treatments will exist in the next decade if this is what it's like now. 

pallyman

I am lucky to have a NHS dentist & shes brilliant,just hope she stays & doesn't go back o Portugal .If i had to pay i would as long as she is there.

Undervalued

Diego_Francis said:

Hello, 

Appologies to the forumites and mods who've probably sifted through posts similar to this over the years. I can't find what I'm looking for so compelled to post. 

My girlfriend is pregnant with our third child. Let's be clear this isn't anything to do with the amount of kids we've chosen to have to please don't focus on that. 

She was originally a member of an NHS dental practice but in 2020 she was booted out, last in first out was what we were told.

She hasn't had any  appointments since. 

Me and our two boys are with an NHS dental practice. Unfortunately my girlfriend can't sign up because they've gone private now and are only accepting private applicants. 

She's decided to pay the £60 private pay as go membership to get an appointment.

She only ever used the maternity benefit once with our first child and didn't need to with the second because noone was taking on back in 2021.

Is this the way forward now? 

There is free dental care on NHS for pregnant mothers. If she's paid privately is that it? Or can she claim back from the NHS? 

She works full time and pays National insurance which I thought is what goes towards dental healthcare?

Just confused with whether she can claim back or not? 

Thanks for your time. 

In England or Wales (Scotland and NI are different) technically there is no such thing as being registered with an NHS practice. Once they have completed the current course of treatment they don't have to see you again. That said, a practice can choose only to see regular patients if they so wish.

So, in principle, she can go to any NHS practice that will see her and once they start they must finish that course of treatment.

Availability varies enormously. Where I live there is no problem but I understand that some areas of the country (devon and Cornwall for example) it is next to impossible.

Muttleythefrog

Undervalued said:

Diego_Francis said:

Hello, 

Appologies to the forumites and mods who've probably sifted through posts similar to this over the years. I can't find what I'm looking for so compelled to post. 

My girlfriend is pregnant with our third child. Let's be clear this isn't anything to do with the amount of kids we've chosen to have to please don't focus on that. 

She was originally a member of an NHS dental practice but in 2020 she was booted out, last in first out was what we were told.

She hasn't had any  appointments since. 

Me and our two boys are with an NHS dental practice. Unfortunately my girlfriend can't sign up because they've gone private now and are only accepting private applicants. 

She's decided to pay the £60 private pay as go membership to get an appointment.

She only ever used the maternity benefit once with our first child and didn't need to with the second because noone was taking on back in 2021.

Is this the way forward now? 

There is free dental care on NHS for pregnant mothers. If she's paid privately is that it? Or can she claim back from the NHS? 

She works full time and pays National insurance which I thought is what goes towards dental healthcare?

Just confused with whether she can claim back or not? 

Thanks for your time. 

Availability varies enormously. Where I live there is no problem but I understand that some areas of the country (devon and Cornwall for example) it is next to impossible.

Oh yeah... 5-7 year waiting list probably now down here... and I've seen quite a few reports of people being kicked off patient lists for minor issues like not having an appointment within 6 months.

peteuk

Muttleythefrog said

Oh yeah... 5-7 year waiting list probably now down here... and I've seen quite a few reports of people being kicked off patient lists for minor issues like not having an appointment within 6 months.

Not sure where down here is, but where we are dentists are either not taking on new NHS patients or loosing there NHS dentist.  My OH has had her dental check up cancelled three times.  Hasn’t seen a dentist for about a year now.  Thankfully they have retained their NHS list, just not their NHS dentist.

Thankfully dentists dont have catchment ares, like GPs do, so if you move locally then you can retain your dentist.