Any Scottish Dentists?

[Greengardenpixie]

How does the system work?
I havent been to the dentist for a while but I can never understand the charges. After going recently, I received two estimates. One for nhs treatment [ removal of a root] and the rest much more expensive and listed as private work [root canal treatment and the build up of a filling]
How is it decided which is on the nhs and which is free. Why isn't this more transparent? Why isnt the root canal treatment on the nhs estimate treatment plan. I am so confused at how it works!
Can someone please explain this to me?
I say Scottish as I think the system is different.
Thank you.
Posting here for traffic.

[Cabinfever10]

1st are you registered as an NHS patient?
2nd if you are then you have 2 choices for treatment the crappie NHS option extract the root or the private (much more expensive) root canal and rebuilding and crowning of the tooth which is a much more difficult and lengthy process which will take many more appointments.
3rd to be honest if the tooth is truly worth saving the NHS would do a root canal and crown, the fact that you aren't being offered that says that in the long run it's not worth the private treatment as there is a very good chance that it won't work or last. You can ask for a 2nd opinion but you'll probably get the same answer.
Hope this helps.
Oh and the NHS sets the prices for NHS patients whilst a private patient pays whatever the dentist chooses to set their prices at

[Greengardenpixie]

I'm not really sure. I was but hadnt been for many years so they said they were treating me like a new patient.
I have a root and its just to come out. This was put on a separate treatment plan estimate for something like £16
The other sheet said private at the top with a treatment plan and it listed root canal treatment and a rebuild of a filling and scale and polish at £65
Nothing was discussed with me. I was just given these two sheets. I just wanted to know if I had options to get treated through the nhs?

[Greengardenpixie]

If I wasnt registered as an nhs patient, then why was one of the plans for a root removal on the nhs. Why was I not given the nhs option for the other treatment?
Thank you so much.

[Greengardenpixie]

I mean why was I not given the option for the root canal treatment on the nhs and the scale and polish?

[MissMarks]

You won’t get a root canal private for £65. I just had one a few months ago and it was about 400 with white filling, and took three appointments.

[Greengardenpixie]

The root removal is for a different tooth. [Its billed on nhs]
The root canal treatment is for a different tooth.It is billed as private treatment as well as a filling that needs to be rebuilt[Each one is about £115] and a scale and polish. The scale and polish alone costing £65. I hope that makes better sense.

[Greengardenpixie]

Why is dentistry so complicated? !

[Cabinfever10]

Right if you haven't been seen in years and are being treated like a new patient then you are probably a private 1. Double check that though (most dentists drop you after 12-18 months) if you are on the private list you can go online to the NHS Scotland site and get a list of local NHS dentists who are taking on patients (if there's any) .
The system is so complicated because its been partially privatised in a sneaky way a little here and there so people didn't realise until it was to late to stop it.
When people (certain most ect) talk about part privatisation of the NHS remember that they want it to work the way dentistry does

[Cabinfever10]

Sorry MPs not most bloody phone

[Greengardenpixie]

Thank you @Cabinfever10
That's very useful. So I would just phone them and ask them if I am being treated as an NHS patient or private? Will do that tomorrow.
I looked it up and on the nhs website it says they are nhs patients. I will clarify with them tomorrow.
It all seems very sneaky, yes.
Then I take it that if they say I'm.private, I have 2 choices.
Find another dentist who is nhs ( rare)
Or just pay for the treatment.
If it wasn't nhs, why is the estimate for the removal of the root on the nhs? Do you know why?

[Greengardenpixie]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to me.

[Cabinfever10]

Your dentist will have 2 lists 1 private (the bigger 1) and 1 NHS (most likely capped at the minimum requirement) part of being an NHS dentist requires you to do emergency treatment (at NHS prices) such as give antibiotics prescription, temporary filling or emergency extraction. Your root extraction probably falls into this category.
The requirement to treat an emergency is the bare minimum that can be done to prevent things like sepsis and falls under the duty of care clause for all medical professionals so is not always the best treatment ie if you have a bad abscess they will give you antibiotics and pull the tooth rather than try and save it unless you pay for the private treatment. This what is meant when people talk about a 2 teir system

[Greengardenpixie]

That makes total sense to me now! Thank you.
I did sign for the treatment but she said I could still decide against it.
Looks like they are now treating me as a private patient, when I was originally nhs.
I will clarify this then approach other dentists to see if they can take me on the nhs. If they can, I will go to to them.
Its a pity as all my children go there!
Thank you so much.:)

[Greengardenpixie]

What benefits are there to doing it privately? Better materials?

[Greengardenpixie]

Is the nhs crap?

[Cabinfever10]

If you're a NHS patient they would do basically the same treatment as private however they would use gold or some silver colour metal for the crown rather than porcelain so it would be obvious that you have a crown other than that it's just a price difference and you could just pay for a private crown and get the rest done on the NHS though if it's a back molar is anyone other than a dentist going to see it?

[Greengardenpixie]

Its a back molar, so no point!
Again, thank you so much. I have a plan now. I will clarify the situation and see if I can get myself on the nhs. Thank you so much!