Dentistry Charges for the over 80's

Ishtar

Wonder whether someone can help? My 80 year old father-in-law has to have some dental work done - not clear as to what exactly he's having done, but it's been recommended that he also has 3 visits to a hygienist. He's with a private dentist and has been quoted £600 for this course of treatment. He's living on a pension and this latest course of treatment is on the back of some he had around 18 months ago that cost him £1500. As far as I'm aware he has all his own teeth, with no bridges or crowns.

It's probably not much help that I don't know exactly what he's having done - he doesn't really talk to me about it, but I can ask OH to find out more - but I think my real question is whether people over retirement age are automatically entitled to NHS dentistry, or at the very least some kind of concession. Being of the generation that doesn't question health professionals, I wonder whether he's being ripped off simply through his quiet acceptance.

Any help or advice would be gratefully received.

Thanks
D.

alison999

unfortunately it doesnt matter how old you are, unless youre on bennefits you have to pay.

LondonDiva

Ishtar wrote: »

He's with a private dentist and has been quoted £600 for this course of treatment.

but I think my real question is whether people over retirement age are automatically entitled to NHS dentistry, or at the very least some kind of concession.

I think you've answered your question.

He's seeing a private dentist & paying private charges.

THe only way he'd pay NHS charges or have an NHS exemption was if he was with a private dentist with an NHS practice or an NHS practice.

Ask his local PCT for a list of NHS dentists. However, if he's happy with the dentist, that should be the main thing unless the private charges are wildly over the top in comparison to others in the local area

Ishtar

Thanks for your reply - it's exactly as I suspected. Seems a bit unfair though as he's unable to go out to work due to his age, so should at least have some kind of help...this kind of thing makes me cross...:mad:

Now for my next question...is there any way we can find out if the dentist's charges are unreasonable? I'm guessing he's entitled to a second opinion?

Thanks
D.

Ishtar

LondonDiva wrote: »

I think you've answered your question.

He's seeing a private dentist & paying private charges.

THe only way he'd pay NHS charges or have an NHS exemption was if he was with a private dentist with an NHS practice or an NHS practice.

Ask his local PCT for a list of NHS dentists. However, if he's happy with the dentist, that should be the main thing unless the private charges are wildly over the top in comparison to others in the local area

Thanks for your reply. I don't think he's particularly happy with the dentist - who took over the practice a couple of years ago - but can't understand why he doesn't change...perhaps he's not feeling confident enough, or maybe he's worried that the new dentist might be worse in some way. Anyway, there's a practice half a mile away that offers an NHS service (and who's list is currently open), so I'll mention it to him and see how we go. My MIL is registered there and is more than happy with the service she receives.

Thanks again
D.

alison999

Ishtar wrote: »

Thanks for your reply - it's exactly as I suspected. Seems a bit unfair though as he's unable to go out to work due to his age, so should at least have some kind of help...this kind of thing makes me cross...:mad:

Now for my next question...is there any way we can find out if the dentist's charges are unreasonable? I'm guessing he's entitled to a second opinion?

Thanks
D.

to get a second opinion you would have to see another dentist,if theres one at that practice, or at a diff practice altogether. its worth remembering though that cheaper doesnt equal better treatment. maybe hes expensive because he takes more time and care over his work? i really cant say but a cheaper dentist doesnt mean a BETTER dentist. also, you cnt compare nhs prices to private charges.

pattycake

My mother is 83 and still has all her own teeth. She visited the dentist every three months until her dentist ceased to take NHS patients and she was unable to find another NHS dentist in the locality who was taking patients. She then had to sign up for the private dentist's scheme which I think cost her something like £17 per month. A lot of money for a pensioner.

This situation went on for a year or so and then she was lucky enough to find a new NHS dentist and was able to change to that practice.

It really does seem very unfair that such elderly people are denied NHS treatment.

Toothsmith

Tricky one this.

Elderly people retaining their own teeth are on the increase. 10 - 20 years ago, it would be very very unusual to have people that age with many if any of their own teeth. Nowadays, it's not unusual at all.

The dental care of the elderly has it's own problems.

The effects of gum recession throughout their life, the decrease in manual dexterity affecting toothbrushing, a drying of the mouth as salivary glands are less productive all lead to an increase in dental need.

Decay in the exposed dentine of the root is a particulaly big problem for the elderly, and this can eat through a tooth in no time if allowed to get a hold.

Another problem with elderly patients is their generally decreased tolerance levels to new things in their mouth.

When someone is relatively young, and needs something like a denture, it's generally accepted quite well, and the patient gets used to it. With elderly patients, needing a chunk of acrylic in their mouth to replace a lost tooth, or lost teeth it's a different story, and there can be huge problems for them adapting to it.

So - all in all, elderly people with their own teeth need a fair bit more care, attention and time. Check-ups need to be done thouroughly to spot any problems early, treatment needs to be provided in goood time, and using appropriate materials for the situation, and preventative treatments are probably needed as much as, if not more than, with children.

Can this be done on the NHS?

Almost certainly not these days. The NHS is geared for access and volume. Decent treatment, care and time went out of the window years ago.

Chances are with the NHS, they will have a 2min check-up, be told everything is fine, and when things go wrong, teeth will be removed and replaced with a bit of plastic that will be left in a drawer whilst the patient survives for the rest of their life on soup and mashed potato.

Is your F-I-L being well looked after?

I don't know. You could get a second opinion, but whose to say the second opinion will be the correct one?

I would be worried if your FIL was paying all that money and getting dental problems all the time. But if things seem to be caught early, he's eating all right, and not moaning about toothache, then it's probably OK.

Maybe he doesn't like the dentist because he's always prodding about, and the clean ups are sensitive, but that doesn't mean the treatment is inappropriate - it just means he doesn't like it!

Therecould be problems of confidentiallity if anyone were to ring up and ask about his treatment, but the dentist shouldn't really mind discussing it all with somebody if your FIL is happy for someone to go with him.


Having said all that.............

I have a couple of 80+s who are really up with their dental knowledge and demand good treatment, really want to know what's going on, ask good sensible questions and make good decisions.

They would be horrified if they knew their relatives were questioning what they spent on their teeth, as it is none of their bl00dy business!!!!!

Assuming your FIL is a fully functioning independent human being, it could be that he doesn't WANT to discuss his dental treatment with you?

I would consider that possibility before you march into the dentists with him.

Ishtar

Thanks for your reply, Toothsmith, and thanks also for explaining the difficulties in treating elderly patients. Obviously, if he's getting the best care then that's where he should be going.

Toothsmith wrote: »

Assuming your FIL is a fully functioning independent human being, it could be that he doesn't WANT to discuss his dental treatment with you?

Fair point. However, he had a stroke 12 months ago and hasn't recovered as well as expected (which, of course, may also impact on his ability to keep his teeth clean). I think your point about him not wanting to discuss with me is also fair - he's always thought it vulgar to talk about money, but the fact he's mentioned this to OH (and, of course, the previous expenditure) makes me slightly more concerned - in that he may not be able to afford it (again, his decision whether he goes elsewhere).

Still, it's up to him who he goes to - I think I just wanted to make sure that he wasn't being taken advantage of, or that he was missing out on any kind of entitlement based on his age.

Thanks again
D.

Toothsmith

I would just ask him if he would like someone to go with him.

You could go on the pretext of discussing mobility problems, and dexterity problems, and see if there is any advice or help that a relative could give him.

Electric toothbrushes can sometimes be helpful for people of limited dexterity, but there is a bit of a different technique in using them, and itmight be helpful for the dentist to explain it to both of you, so that a relative might help him get the hang of it.

Coming at it from that sort of approach might make your FIL see that you're trying to help the process rather than just going in to critisize how much the dentist is charging.

Hopefully you will get to the practice, speak tothe dentist and come away completely reassured that it's all happening in his best interests, and you may find out various things you can do to help your FIL.

Feel free to contact me if you have any doubts or questions.