Band C NHS dentist charge for extractions & temporary plate

Roy1234

A friend with two loose front teeth recently had to go to her NHS dentist in a hurry, when she realised they were coming away.  The dentist then extracted them and fitted some kind of temporary or at least of-the-shelf plate, to fill the gap now left.  They charged her the highest Band 3, £326.70, which they demanded full payment for there and then.

It must be traumatic to lose two front teeth, and after coming away and discussing with others, the balance of opinion was that the plate fitted on the day must be only temporary, i.e. that she would be called back to take the normal impression moulding from which a custom-made plate would then be made, this being within the Band 3 treatments.  The two extractions could otherwise have been treated as an emergency visit (only £27.40) or else a Band 2 for £75.30.  Band 3 is what I and others have always paid for the most expensive work, a crown or in this case a custom made plate.

But returning to the dentist, they made it clear that her treatment was complete.  When she pointed out that the fit of the off-the-shelf plate wasn’t ideal, the receptionist retorted ‘Just be glad it fitted at all!’.  Presumably they are not always well received.

With no budging from the dentist staff, I suggested she complain formally to the NHS practice.  Their reply was effectively that the generic plate fitted on the day of the extraction was ‘the’ plate covered under Band 3, so that was all she was getting.   They added ‘We are sorry this was not made clear to you at the time’.

Now the NHS website says that she could further complain to the local Integrated Care Board, but my question is, are the dental practice correct?  It seems a potentially far cheaper job was turned into a rather costly Band 3 with this generic plate, whilst the lady is strapped for cash and not relishing having to pay another £326 for a proper custom plate made either there or elsewhere.

Ms_Chocaholic

Does this help from here https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/2025-06/HC11 (V26) 06.2025.pdf

Dental treatment
When you go for treatment, check if it will be NHS or private treatment. If you are not exempt from NHS
charges (see page 7), there are three standard charges for NHS dental treatment. The amount you pay will
depend on the sort of treatment you need to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Rates of dental treatment charges from 1 April 2025. You will pay one of the three charges below.

£27.40
This charge will include an examination, diagnosis and care to prevent problems. If necessary,
this will include x-rays, scale and polish and planning for more treatment. Urgent and out-of-
hours care will cost no more than £27.40.

£75.30 This charge includes all necessary treatment covered by the £27.40 charge plus other
treatment such as fillings, root-canal treatments or extractions (having teeth taken out)

£326.70 This charge includes all necessary treatment covered by the £27.40 and the £75.30 charges
plus more complicated procedures such as crowns, dentures or bridges.

You will pay only one charge even if you need to go to the dentist more than once to complete a course of
treatment, but your dentist may collect this charge in instalments.
If you are referred to another dentist, you will still pay only one charge (to the dentist who refers you).
If you need more treatment at the same charge level (for example another filling) within two months
of seeing your dentist, this will be without further charge. You should ask your dentist how much
your individual treatment plan will cost. The dental practice may ask you to pay before beginning your
treatment.
There will be no charge if the dentist decides that you only need a prescription, or if he or she just removes
stitches from a previous procedure. The normal charging arrangements will apply when you collect a
prescription

Roy1234

Ms_Chocaholic said:

Does this help from here https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/2025-06/HC11 (V26) 06.2025.pdf

Dental treatment
When you go for treatment, check if it will be NHS or private treatment. If you are not exempt from NHS
charges (see page 7), there are three standard charges for NHS dental treatment. The amount you pay will
depend on the sort of treatment you need to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Rates of dental treatment charges from 1 April 2025. You will pay one of the three charges below.

£27.40
This charge will include an examination, diagnosis and care to prevent problems. If necessary,
this will include x-rays, scale and polish and planning for more treatment. Urgent and out-of-
hours care will cost no more than £27.40.

£75.30 This charge includes all necessary treatment covered by the £27.40 charge plus other
treatment such as fillings, root-canal treatments or extractions (having teeth taken out)

£326.70 This charge includes all necessary treatment covered by the £27.40 and the £75.30 charges
plus more complicated procedures such as crowns, dentures or bridges.

You will pay only one charge even if you need to go to the dentist more than once to complete a course of
treatment, but your dentist may collect this charge in instalments.
If you are referred to another dentist, you will still pay only one charge (to the dentist who refers you).
If you need more treatment at the same charge level (for example another filling) within two months
of seeing your dentist, this will be without further charge. You should ask your dentist how much
your individual treatment plan will cost. The dental practice may ask you to pay before beginning your
treatment.
There will be no charge if the dentist decides that you only need a prescription, or if he or she just removes
stitches from a previous procedure. The normal charging arrangements will apply when you collect a
prescription

I'm afraid it doesn't help, this is just the standard NHS dental work definitions widely available.  The question is whether a dentist can say a generic plate, not one specially moulded to the patient, can be said to have fulfilled the 'more complicated procedures' definition of Band 3.  To me, it was a rather simple not a complicated bit of work.