Dentists and added costs due to Covid.

[hettyhooverdoover]

So I went to the dentist this week.

I need a filling, it actually came out in first lockdown. I have recieved the treatment plan and on top of my filling they are adding an extra AGP cost of £110. I have read what it says about it and:

The AGP ( aerosol generating procedure) cost covers the extensive PPE and settling time, I believe the room has to remain empty for a time after the treatment.

But it seems such a large amount?? Has anyone else had to pay this much out on top of their treatment?

My dentist is private. The agp fee for my filling was £20! She had a reusable/washable respirator mask on and visor. As did the nurse.

Correct- the fallow time, during which the room can't be used after the procedure, is currently 30 minutes. Up until recently it was one hour. During that 30 minutes the clinic cannot see a patient in that room, but still has overheads and staff wages to pay. Professional indemnity and insurance still need to be paid.

@ChasingRainbows19

My dentist is private. The agp fee for my filling was £20! She had a reusable/washable respirator mask on and visor. As did the nurse.

Only £20? Why is my dentist charging so much?

@catlovingdoctor

Correct- the fallow time, during which the room can't be used after the procedure, is currently 30 minutes. Up until recently it was one hour. During that 30 minutes the clinic cannot see a patient in that room, but still has overheads and staff wages to pay. Professional indemnity and insurance still need to be paid.

Yes, I understand it but it seems very steep to me. A lot of businesses and people in general have taken a huge knock during this.

Wow! I thought the hygienist going up from £45 to £60 last week was a bit steep.

There are 3 rooms and I think they plan well to use the other, while one is tested and cleaned. Spread out the appointments that need agp? That’s what it looked like....

The respirator plastic mask is washed so not replaced after each one? Cheaper.
They have some form of ppe normally anyway, goggles, surgical masks, aprons etc.

*Rested

@ChasingRainbows19

There are 3 rooms and I think they plan well to use the other, while one is tested and cleaned. Spread out the appointments that need agp? That’s what it looked like....

The respirator plastic mask is washed so not replaced after each one? Cheaper.
They have some form of ppe normally anyway, goggles, surgical masks, aprons etc.

So 110 does seem quite steep??

My dp had a filling replaced about a month ago. Was told they had to book in a initial appointment to make sure it was needed, and couldnt be fixed another way. Once confirmed that the filling was needed they booked another appointment, explained that the surgery would need to be closed for an hour for this to take place.

No extra charges, not even for the initial appointment. You paid for the first, if you needed a second then it was part of the same cost. NHS.

My fallow time is only 10 minutes

@RobinHumphries
How have you managed to get your fallow time down to 10 mins in a full AGP.

10 minutes for a slow hand piece but not for a full AGP.

My hygienist has gone up from £75 to £99 which I thought was enough. General check-up has stayed the and price but I suppose if I need anything done the add-on could be steep!

Yours seems a lot op.

Mine has gone from £24 to £70 for a jet wash!!

I have 13.1 ACH and use high volume suction