I know we get free dentist appointments but do we get free hygienist apppointments too?

[angels1]

I only ask as I saw my dentist since gettin pg today for the first time. Since I've been having lots of trouble with sensitive teeth (struggle to even drink water and have had to alter how I swallow to limit pain) she suggested a hygienist appointment. When I went out to the receptionist to show my exemption card for the check up I asked if hygienist was free for me and told it was private so would cost £42 (NHS dentist btw).

Has anyone had hygienist appointments free on NHS exemption card? I'm not bothering if I have to pay (I'm a cheap skate!). Just thought I'd check if it is something I should be entitled to or not.

[memoo]

Its just NHS treatments that are free so you will have to pay for hygienist.

[angels1]

are hygienists not NHS? Didn't know that.. [hhmm]

[littleyellowchicken]

I saw both the NHS dentist and hygienist in the same practise for free last month. I would look somewhere else if I were you.

[japhrimel]

Not many practices do everything NHS.

[muslimah28]

ive always had to pay for my hygeinist appointments.

[Sparklies]

Mine was always covered by the NHS.. it must depend on the practice.

[tallwivglasses]

Ask, otherwise they might 'forget' (I've found, in an otherwise very good practice)

[broughthimroundtotheidea]

My dentist is private, and I thought I would get free check ups, but don't even get that!! I really like my dentist so don't want to change but I do feel it is wrong!

[juneybean]

I had my scale and polish as part of my nhs treatment?

[Katietatie123]

Nope, I had to pay for my hygienist this week, 47 quid!

[BubbaAndBump]

I just had a dentist do a clean of my teeth - free. Assumed it was part of the deal (and never usually bother getting one done as it costs so much money, but asked for it and got it free).

[FeedjoToTheMummies]

If the hygienist is private then you won't be covered by your NHS exemption certificate I'm afraid.

[CrazyPlateLady]

My dentist is NHS but the hygenist is private so I have to pay. Pisses me off when he tells me I need to see her so she can make my teeth bleed (oj, he doesn't say that last bit).

Its funny how I never remember having to see hygenists before though.

[FindingMymOOOOOOOOjo]

I believe the hygenist can be free on NHS - but you have to be referred by your NHS dentist. I'm hoping for a freebie as soon as my exemption card arrives, as I've not been able to brush my teeth properly since falling pregnant - i'm lucky to have the brush in there for 30 seconds before gagging. Its dreadful

[angels1]

that's very useful findingmymoooooooooojo . My dentist was the one suggesting the hygienist but I don't think she officially referred me. Maybe I need to go back and ask for a direct referral if I want the free treatment.

[FindingMymOOOOOOOOjo]

My (very good) NHS dentist have a hygenist you have to pay for (Its about £30), but you can get clinically necessary hygenist treatment free on NHS - but you will have to 'qualify' for it I guess - this is what my dentist's guidelines say

[minimuffy]

seen hygenist twice and both times were free, must depend on the practice. Your dentist should have told you it was private tho.

[ugglyduckling]

hey, i work within NHS dentistry and i hope i can help. If you are seen on the NHS by your dentist then you are entitled to an NHS scale and polish. Admitidly hygienists may charge a private fee but if you are seen under NHS regulations and sign the FP17 form (small blue form) then the dentist should do the scale and polish under the NHS. They can not say you are entitled to some treatments under NHS and others not. if the treatment is on the NHS fee list then you are entitled to it. They may say you can only see the hygienist privatly but then the dentist should carry out the treatment themselves.

Many people have gum problems during pregnancy the most common is something called pregnancy gingivitis. The best advice i can give anyone who is having problems is to keep things as clean as possible and im sorry i know its a pain but that means flossing too! bleeding is most commonly a sign of irritation and inflammation caused by the build up of plaque on your teeth, so the more you clean the less sensitive and irritated the gums become in turn causing a reduction in bleeding.

YOU are entitled to an NHS scale and polish if you are entitled to an NHS examination although this may not specifically be with a hygienist.

XXXXXXXXX

[darkangels1]

Thanks so much ugly duckling. Dentist told me I could se hygienist for a possible clean and to show me hints on good oral habits. Problem is, I'm not sure if I will manage to have a clean as my teeth are THAT bad that all I can manage is cleaning with soft brush and sensodyne, and even that can feel sore.

Dentist said my teeth are OK but gums inflamed which she said was just pg. She seemed to think my sensitivity was just me being unlucky (I suffer from sensitive teeth anyway). I declined her cleaning my teeth in the check up as I knew it would hurt and my pg sickness/gag reflex isn;t good (given up hope of it going away now I'm 24 weeks) so was worried it would make me ill.

So perhaps they've offered all they need to on NHS and the hygienist 'lesson' wouldn't be NHS service... [hhmm]