Can I change my mind about dental fillings?

grimble37

I've had broken molars (that had already been filled in the past) for quite some time, on my last check up the dentist said I should have them refilled (even though last year he said its fine if I want to leave them as they are and so have other dentists on previous occasions)

Anyway, I agreed at the time to come back for several fillings and signed something. 

I've now decided that I don't really want any more drilling etc (as I assume they'll have to put pegs in etc.) as I believe that this will cause them to get worse quicker and eventually have to come out quicker.

Will I still have to pay the extra £40 or £50 ish (the second tier of nhs dental work) if I say that I don't want the fillings?

SkylineExplorer

It’s fine to change your mind, talk to your dentist about your concerns.

They can advise on the best approach. If the work hasn’t started, you probably won’t be charged, but it’s worth confirming with the practice

grimble37

Well, I am going back for the scale and polish, that's when I was going to tell them I don't want the fillings, I just wanted to be armed with the knowledge if I'm now duty bound or not to pay for the treatment I won't be getting if I'd signed for it.

brook2jack2

if if you are coming back for a scale and polish and you are in England you will be probably paying a band two charge anyway ,whether or not you have the fillings . Normally a scaling that requires a seperate appointment is a band two charge.

You do not have to have any treatment you don’t want but phone up the practice now so they can cancel the filling appointments or make your next appointment shorter if you were having the scaling and fillings at the same time . 

grimble37

No fillings appointments have been made, just an appointment for the scale and polish and the further fillings appointments were to be discussed at the scale and polish appointment. The scale and polish is always performed separately at this particular clinic by a different person, and it's included in the lower band charge along with the check up. 

grimble37

I just checked and it's standard nhs practice for the scale and polish to be included in the lowest band. 

brook2jack2

A simple scale and polish is included in band one , but normally a scale and polish that needs a seperate appointment is, especially with a hygienist or therapist is band two. 

grimble37

Not normally for me and googling it I can't see anything to suggest anything other than that. 

brook2jack2

A scaling that requires a seperate visit with a hygienist or therapist would be because of gum disease (periodontal disease) and this will normally be band two https://faq.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/knowledgebase/article/KA-02041/en-us#:~:text=Periodontal%20treatment%2C%20both%20surgical%20and,that%20the%20treatment%20would%20require.

grimble37

Thanks for that, looks like I'll be paying the extra 50quidish just for a scale, ouch.
By the way, has emergency treatment on NHS cost come right down in recent years? 

brook2jack2

No , NHS emergency treatment band four has always been the same cost as a band one treatment. However if you come in as an emergency and have a check up and permanent treatment then you will pay a band two or three charge ( in England and Wales , different charges apply in Scotland and NI).