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.

brook2jack2

There is no such thing as an off the shelf denture, they don’t exist . All dentures are custom made. You could not possibly make an “off the shelf” set of dentures as there are so many variables in the mouth you could never get them in. Your friend has had immediates dentures. 

However immediate dentures ie ones that are fitted immediately after teeth are taken out , are only a rough fit as 

A the technician has to guess the shape of the gums after extractions 

B for 3 to 6 months after extractions the gums change shape and the dentures become even more ill fitting . 

This is the problem with immediate dentures . 

In 3 to 6 months your friend will need a new set of dentures with a new band three charge (in England and Wales) . https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/dentures/

As an aside the chances are the dental surgery has made a loss on this course of treatment and , indeed , any denture treatment https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/feb/13/england-dentists-nhs-exodus-fees

The dentist has charged correctly , there is no basis for a complaint. 

This definition may help 

“ Immediate Dentures

• Purpose: Immediate dentures are fitted on the same day as teeth are removed to help with appearance, protect the gums during the initial healing process, and allow the patient to adjust to wearing dentures.
• Temporary Nature: The gums and bone will change shape and shrink as they heal, so the fit of an immediate denture will become loose over time. They typically require several adjustments and relining (adding material to improve the fit) during the healing period, which usually lasts 6 to 12 months.
• NHS Classification: Immediate dentures are generally part of a single NHS course of treatment (CoT) that includes the extractions and the initial fitting.
• Cost: Dentures fall under Band 3 of NHS dental treatment charges in England, which is a set cost of £319.10, irrespective of whether they are immediate or permanent. Some patients may be exempt from charges; information is available on the NHSBSA website. ”

Roy1234

Oh I see, that makes some sense.  I was puzzled how they had fitted anything there and then.  It was a temporary fix that you say will only get worse in time.  Shame she wasn't told/offered first.  She's hard-up and might have opted for extraction only, then proper dentures a few months later when her gums had adjusted as you describe.  How long do you suggest waiting to have the further set made?

brook2jack2

It depends on how quickly her gums remodel and if there are any other dubious teeth. A minimum of three months and up to a year . If she has other dubious teeth it would be best having those out and added onto the immediate denture before going forward with the definitive one. If she has gum disease that severe it may well be that there are other teeth on their last leg . 

Roy1234

brook2jack2 said:

It depends on how quickly her gums remodel and if there are any other dubious teeth. A minimum of three months and up to a year . If she has other dubious teeth it would be best having those out and added onto the immediate denture before going forward with the definitive one. If she has gum disease that severe it may well be that there are other teeth on their last leg . 

Thanks, so get any more extractions out of the way and healed before paying for a final one.  I'm not completely sure about her other teeth, as you say her tolerance of the loose ones for so long may reflect other problems.  I will politely ask.

Out of interest, was this immediate denture a common thing nowadays that other dentists might have done?

brook2jack2

It’s been a standard treatment for as long as there have been dentures. 

No one wants to go without front teeth . 

Spoonie_Turtle

Roy1234 said:

She's hard-up and might have opted for extraction only, then proper dentures a few months later when her gums had adjusted as you describe.  

Has she checked to see if she can have any help towards the cost?

https://faq.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/knowledgebase/article/KA-03896/en-us

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-low-income-scheme

Roy1234

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Roy1234 said:

She's hard-up and might have opted for extraction only, then proper dentures a few months later when her gums had adjusted as you describe.  

Has she checked to see if she can have any help towards the cost?

https://faq.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/knowledgebase/article/KA-03896/en-us

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-low-income-scheme

Many thanks, I will pass this on, like so many people she works hard, and doesn't claim anything.  This scheme seems to offer help to those based on low savings, which will be her.