Dentist didn't do a scale and polish but said I should pay for a hygiene appointment (£89)

[Cheesymonster]

Sorry this is really long and boring.

Today I had a dental check up and saw a different dentist instead of my usual one. I have some tartar build up in between check ups which my usual dentist removes with a scale and polish on the NHS under the band one price of £21.

The new dentist said I had stains on my teeth which were attracting plaque and my cleaning and flossing at home wasn't effective enough. He said they have a new hygiene treatment / machine which would remove the stains and therefore make my cleaning regime more effective. It costs £89 and two treatments may be needed. I said I floss daily and use a Philips sonicare toothbrush and had some questions about whether oral b are better brushes but he said to bring my brush to the hygiene appointment and he would then tell me if it was the right one for me. I got the impression he would perform the hygiene treatment instead of a separate hygienist.

I am kicking myself at not asking for a scale and polish then and there like normal but I have bad anxiety at the dentist and usually can't wait to get out of there. Now I'm home I'm fretting about it. I can't afford £89 but I am worried about my teeth. DH thinks I'm being ripped off.

I can't see my usual dentist as she's left. I don't know what to do, is it normal for nhs dentists to not offer scale and polish on the nhs anymore in favour of private treatments? DH wants me to go back and insist on a scale and polish but surely I'll then get charged another £21?

I've been for a check up at an NHS dentist today and have had a scale and polish and an xray at the same time. I also paid £21. My dental practice also employs a hygienist but I have never had a separate appointment with her - it has been offered but I politely declined.

I should imagine if it’s another appointment, there will be another charge of £21. Most hygienists that I’m aware of, charge between £50-60 per appointment. £89 seems a lot, but it must be the new machine I guess.

Do you use interdental brushes? I’m told they’re more effective than flossing and I have four different sizes. I also have a long handled brush with a tiny brush at the end that is used for the top edges where the teeth meet the gum.

Maybe ask for a dentist scale and polish and then increase your home routine.

I have a terrible dental phobia and my dentist has never suggested that I see the hygienist and just cleans my teeth at the check up. That is more than bad enough and I trust him implicitly. You can phone up and cancel the appointment, especially if you don't have the money.

I'm amazed you normally get a scale and polish with your regular check up. I have to book a separate appointment with the hygienist for that, and yup, it costs around £80 (I'm in London).

I have separate hygienist visits to my check up but mine are only £40

You should get a scale with the exam but the polish isn't included but a lot of dentists do it anyway. They don't do it as intensely as a hygienist as it is a basic one but they should deff do one

I was told you only get s and p on nhs band 1 if its required for clinical reasons. Ive been told to use hygienist and other times had it done, all by the same dentist.

Seems a lottery!

Hygienists are great and spend far more time on your teeth. I just hate dentistry work.

Also- stains don't attract plaque so have no idea what he's on about there

My dentist doesn't do a scale and polish , I have to make a separate hygienist appointment for that. It's only about £12 though.

I thought stains stuck to plaque, not the other way around?

Thank you everyone.

I didn't book the appointment today as they wanted £45 up front as well as the £21. There were posters everywhere of this new treatment, wish I'd taken a photo of it to read at home as the surgery doesn't have a website.

Maybe I should go back and explain I can't afford £89 (especially if two sessions are needed!) and ask for the normal scaling (it's possible I don't get the polish part on the nhs to the pp who asked - I get so anxious I just lay back with my eyes screwed shut ).

My dentist does not polish.
The hygienist is £60

It's the norm here in the US. They have a machine that uses water to make it more efficient. The whole thing takes about an hour. I was told the same thing about the stains. My dental insurance covers me for 4 cleanings a year as it's considered preventative for gum disease.

I love my dentist though she is awesome. So is the hygienist. And I'm scared of the dentist so just pay up!

One of the dentists I saw a while back (NHS) was very adamant that they don't do anything that is cosmetic.
However, some of them (just not that one, apparently ) will do a scale and polish for you.
It's the luck of the draw.

I’m fairly shocked at the lack of people who go to the hygienist. I think it’s essential for good dental hygiene. I go every six months and feel amazing afterwards.

I don't go to the hygienist. My NHS dentist always does a scale and polish for the band 1 price.

Why if it's in band b description for a scale and polish why cant I get it

I've been to two NHS dentists in the last 10 years, both just counted and recorded my teeth (I had 4 removed so this takes an extra 30 seconds or so as they normally double check) and then get shoved out the door within about 3 minutes. I now go private as that seems to be the only way to get treated like a person. I think you have just been really lucky so far.

This thread is from 2018!

@Babyface2016 You should be able to have a scale on polish as NHS treatment if there is a clinical need for it. Unfortunately what you should get and what you can get are very different things.

Mine won’t do it at the moment due to Polish causing aerosols.

I don’t think I’ve had a scale and polish at the dentist for years. I have separate hygienist appointments.

My private hygienist is £75.

I think you'll find that an NHS check up includes a scale and polish only if deemed necessary by the dentist.