Dentist charges (Merged)

saajan_12

If its temporary fillings, can you not travel a bit to get a permanent filling sooner than the 6 month quote? Understand this wouldn't be possible in an emergency scenario, but over 6 months it might be preferable. 

Frodshaw

Very difficult if not impossible to find a dentist in this part of Scotland who has availability. 

sheramber

Unlikely to be able to get an appointment any sooner with another dentist.

I had a 22 month wait for an appointment  and the waiting list was closed just after I was added. 

My check up was in November  and my first appointment is at the end of January.

My dentist works one day a week at the practice. 

brook2jack2

In Scotland you pay per item of service , ie individually for every bit of work done. You will pay for each emergency appointment , redressing , temporary filling . You have been charged correctly. 

However I would ask to be put on a short notice cancellation list, if at all possible , to have the root filling . This may not be easy as you will need one or two long appointments to get this done . Alternatively make a point of ringing at regular intervals to see if they get any suitable cancellations . The alternative is to have the tooth out. 

brook2jack2

Ps ignore what has been said on other thread , charging in Scotland is very different to England and Wales and two month rule also doesn’t apply. But even in England every time you come in for an emergency appointment you would be charged . 

brook2jack2

marcia_ said:

  If an NHS dentist you should not have been paying each time 

"If, within 2 calendar months of completing a course of treatment, you need more treatment from the same or a lower charge band, such as another filling, you do not have to pay anything extra."

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/how-much-will-i-pay-for-nhs-dental-treatment/

No this is in Scotland, there is item of service payment and no two month rule also, it is very different to England and Wales. OP has been charged correctly. 

brook2jack2

born_again said:

marcia_ said:

  If an NHS dentist you should not have been paying each time 

"If, within 2 calendar months of completing a course of treatment, you need more treatment from the same or a lower charge band, such as another filling, you do not have to pay anything extra."

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/how-much-will-i-pay-for-nhs-dental-treatment/

Ignoring the Scotland part, just replying to above.

Op was having emergency treatment. So drop further down your link.
So would take it that each appointment was a new emergency one, even though for the same issue.

How much will I be charged?

An urgent dental treatment will cost £26.80, unless you're entitled to free NHS dental treatment.

If you're asked to come back for further treatment, this will be considered to be a separate course of non-urgent treatment.

If you're not entitled to free NHS dental treatment, you'll have to pay the relevant charge for the new course of treatment.

Ask the dentist what the treatment will cost and if you can have a treatment plan.

No this only applies to England and Wales . 

Scotland has item of service charges not bands , so patients are charged for each individual treatment. OP has been correctly charged for each emergency appointment. 

brook2jack2

Exodi said:

marcia_ said:

  If an NHS dentist you should not have been paying each time 

"If, within 2 calendar months of completing a course of treatment, you need more treatment from the same or a lower charge band, such as another filling, you do not have to pay anything extra."

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/how-much-will-i-pay-for-nhs-dental-treatment/

As has been noted, OP is in Scotland so I'm not so sure that applies.

6 month waiting list for a root canal is depressing to read though, especially if the OP is picking up 80% of the cost as they mention.

I'd be tempted to just get it done privately if I were the OP.

They are charged 80% of the NHS fee which does not even cover the cost of time and materials . The amount paid wouldn’t even get you through the door for a root treatment privately where the amount you pay reflects how much the materials and surgery costs actually are. 

marcia_

brook2jack2 said:

born_again said:

marcia_ said:

  If an NHS dentist you should not have been paying each time 

"If, within 2 calendar months of completing a course of treatment, you need more treatment from the same or a lower charge band, such as another filling, you do not have to pay anything extra."

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/how-much-will-i-pay-for-nhs-dental-treatment/

Ignoring the Scotland part, just replying to above.

Op was having emergency treatment. So drop further down your link.
So would take it that each appointment was a new emergency one, even though for the same issue.

How much will I be charged?

An urgent dental treatment will cost £26.80, unless you're entitled to free NHS dental treatment.

If you're asked to come back for further treatment, this will be considered to be a separate course of non-urgent treatment.

If you're not entitled to free NHS dental treatment, you'll have to pay the relevant charge for the new course of treatment.

Ask the dentist what the treatment will cost and if you can have a treatment plan.

No this only applies to England and Wales . 

Scotland has item of service charges not bands , so patients are charged for each individual treatment. OP has been correctly charged for each emergency appointment. 

 Totally missed the Scotland bit