NHS dentistry fees - am I being overcharged?

abc.xyz

Hi folks. Wondering if you can tell me whether I'm being overcharged by my dental practice...

I have a check-up with the dentist every 12 months. Each time, the dentist recommends booking a hygienist appointment afterwards, which I do. I've always been charged 1x Band 1 fee for the check-up plus 1x Band 1 fee for the hygienist a couple of weeks later. I was discussing this with a couple of friends a few weeks ago, who told me they are overcharging me as both the check-up and hygienist should be on the same treatment plan. Is this true?

Today, I tried to be proactive by booking a check-up and a hygienist appointment on the same day. The receptionist tells me that as I'm booking the hygienist 'directly' I have to pay a private fee (£80). Apparently, I need to have the check-up first, then only when the dentist recommends a hygienist appointment can I pay the NHS fee for it. Is this true? Seems like a totally backwards way of doing things...

TIA

la531983

I recently had a check up. Suggested I book in with the hygienist, appointment in 3 weeks. Band 2 was paid (£75).

soolin

My hygienist charges £65 or £70 for a Saturday appointment, I'd assumed it was a private appointment as my dentist practice has both NHS and private appointments. 

Undervalued

abc.xyz said:

Hi folks. Wondering if you can tell me whether I'm being overcharged by my dental practice...

I have a check-up with the dentist every 12 months. Each time, the dentist recommends booking a hygienist appointment afterwards, which I do. I've always been charged 1x Band 1 fee for the check-up plus 1x Band 1 fee for the hygienist a couple of weeks later. I was discussing this with a couple of friends a few weeks ago, who told me they are overcharging me as both the check-up and hygienist should be on the same treatment plan. Is this true?

Today, I tried to be proactive by booking a check-up and a hygienist appointment on the same day. The receptionist tells me that as I'm booking the hygienist 'directly' I have to pay a private fee (£80). Apparently, I need to have the check-up first, then only when the dentist recommends a hygienist appointment can I pay the NHS fee for it. Is this true? Seems like a totally backwards way of doing things...

TIA

If it is medically necessary (e.g to treat gum disease) then the hygienist's treatment should be provided as part of the NHS course of treatment. If however it is mainly for cosmetic reasons, then it is not included on the NHS and is a chargeable private treatment that you can choose to pay for or decline.