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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

..to suspect that my dentist was trying to pull a fast one ..(and to want to report it?)

28 replies

loverofwine · 07/01/2013 21:21

Today I took DS's to the (NHS) dentist. They each had a check up that took. No teeth cleaning etc. but as far as I understand all is well. Youngest didn't want to be examined so we didnt push it as he is still small.

When I went out I was given forms to sign to confirm what treatment they'd had. The dentist/dental assistant had ticked the Level 2 box (£48) in two of the four forms and ticked a bit that said they had had fillings. I was given a form for the youngest who hadn't had a check up.

I pointed out that they hadn't had fillings etc. and was given new, correct forms to sign.

Am I just getting old and jaded but she was trying to scam the NHS wasn't she? Should I report it or just be extra vigilant in signing these forms in the future. The upstanding citizen in me says report. The other me says if you do there'll be no NHS dentist to visit.

WWYD? AIBU?

OP posts:
Original poster
loverofwine · 07/01/2013 21:22

sorry should have read 'check up that took 3 mins'

OP posts:
TheUnsinkableTitanic · 07/01/2013 21:24

going to watch this with interest

i had a similar tale a few years ago and searched on line for ages to find out how to report (before i joined MN :) ) never found out how to do it

i am in northern ireland btw

Bunsouttheoven · 07/01/2013 21:26

I would report it. They do do random checks to see if dentists have done as they say ( I was called to have my teeth checked again by a different nhs dentist to confirm that my dentist had done the work he said he had)
Sorry that is waffle but I am too tired to rewrite it more succinctlyGrin

splintersinmebum · 07/01/2013 21:28

It's known as Bashing the Nash (Nash = National Health). But it could have been an honest mistake.

Fakebook · 07/01/2013 21:31

Yes I'd think so. There was a news story last year about a dentist who was using dead patients names needing treatment in the same way. I think she went to jail.

NewYearNewNN · 07/01/2013 21:31

There's no money in NHS dentistry so the temptation is there. But it's still fraud, and it's all of us who have to pay for it.

bigbluebus · 07/01/2013 21:39

The dentist will be under contract to your local Primary Care Trust to provide NHS treatment. If you want to alert them to this then you need to contact the dental commissioner at the PCTs office.

Willdoitinaminute · 07/01/2013 21:46

Contact your local PCT and ask to speak to the anti fraud officer. They will investigate and you can remain anonymous. If you approach the practice they will possibly try to cover up any fraudulent activity.

littleducks · 07/01/2013 21:52

I'm not sure, it could have been a mistake (lots of kids done that day/ wrong box ticked by accident).

I think I signed a form (for a basic check up) when I took ds and dd and ds refused to let the dentist look at his teeth. He had a booked appointment slot the dentist took a 'history' from me, discussed a wonky tooth and gave him a sticker. It was effective though at the next appointment he let the dentist look.

Stoddleyomp · 07/01/2013 21:53

Yes they were trying to scam nhs. Report it. I'm not sure how you will prove it as they will scrap the form they tried to rip the nhs off. They work on a three band system. Band 1, Band 2, Band 3 . There should be a poster explaining this in the waiting room. Band 2 & 3 pays them more.

Original poster
loverofwine · 07/01/2013 21:54

yes littleducks but two forms filled out in error. They were done straight after the appointment.

OP posts:
CunningPlan · 07/01/2013 21:56

I may be wrong but my NHS dental check ups are about £18, not £48. I hope that part wasn't wrong too Sad

Original poster
loverofwine · 07/01/2013 21:57

Band 1 is the check up - free for kids on NHS. About £18 for adults (..done my research me...)

OP posts:
HairyPotter · 07/01/2013 22:01

I noticed a similar thing when I took dd1 to the opticians. They asked me sign a form before going in which stated she had received new glasses. I queried it and the receptionist said it was to save me time on the way out Hmm

I refused to fill it in saying I would do it afterwards. Dd didn't need glasses but they were in no hurry to fill out a new form until I pointed out the 'mistake'

purpleroses · 07/01/2013 22:01

I've been charged an appointment too when DD refused to open her mouth, but I guess she had had an appointment booked.

But what you've described sounds more dodgy to me. It's rubbish that there's no money in NHS dentistry. It's just that dentists can make more privately. But that's still no excuse to steal money from the NHS.

PukeCatcher · 07/01/2013 22:03

Doesn't sound right, but could have been a mistake. You can raise concerns here:-

www.gdc-uk.org

mamma12 · 07/01/2013 22:08

definitely report it! I had a terrible experience with dd and dentist recently. Dhe had a permanent tooth growing behind a very wobbly mikk tooth. The dentist sat took a very cursory glance in her mouth taking seconds and "informed" me he woukd be pulling the wobbly tooth out. I looked at my daughter who looked terrified and asked him politely whether it woukd hurt. He then shouted at me YOU ARE SCARING YOUR CHILD!!!! I was a but taken aback by being shouted at so I said erm sorry can I ask you why? his abswer was a vague "because it will cause problems". I told him thanks i'll come back another time. I immediatly booked an appointmentbwity another nhs dentist, didnt mention anything about the experience (thinking i'll give scary dentist the benefit of doubt). New dentist was lovely and without being asked explained why it was not necessary to take any teeth out.

UmDieEcke · 07/01/2013 22:08

Try ringing PALS at your local PCT?

BaronessBomburst · 07/01/2013 22:15

Look on the bright side, the NHS dentist bastard DH had as a kid actually gave him the fillings he didn't need and he's had nothing but problems with them ever since. :(

Disappearing · 07/01/2013 22:30

My DD was referred on the NHS to a specialist clinic as she had a dental abscess, the dentist there (private firm, but seeing NHS patients) fixed the abscess, and then also told us DD needed 8 further fillings. I was doubtful as we'd recently seen our own dentist, so I took DD elsewhere for a second opinion, and then again to her own dentist, both these other dentists concurred that DD's other teeth were all fine, she needed no further work done.

What upsets me the most is that this other dentist was willing to drill and fill 8 of DD's teeth unnecessarily. I'd let them go ahead and do one filling before my suspicions were raised. This dentist had advised doing the fillings one at a time, so over 8 appointments. I'm so upset/angry. I've not even complained yet as it's really unclear who I should be complaining to.

ConfusedPixie · 07/01/2013 22:35

Definitely report it. If it were a mistake then it would be flagged and then investigated and shown to be a one off. If it's not a one off then something is wrong there!

I had a different problem with dentists growing up. Our local surgery would say all was fine with my sisters and I. The minute each of us turned 18 they suggested various dental treatments that would cost a lot of money. The problem is, I actually need braces and was trying to get them to give me them from about age 13 as I have an awful overbite which, back then, caused a few problems (still does now but not as bad). I was told repeatedly I didn't need them and that I'd grow out of it. Then when I went back after leaving education at 18 they suggested I get them. Ridiculous!

MillyMollyMardy · 07/01/2013 22:38

Disappearing and OP as UmDieEcke said if you look up PALS (patient advice and liason) for your local PCT I would give them a call.

Loverofwine it may have been a genuine mistake, the PCT will know if they have had any concerns about the practice or dentist, the data submitted for processing is compared to all the other practices locally and nationally and shows up outliers (those behaving differently for any reason), they will let you know what you should do.

Disappearing if your daughter was referred under the NHS, the specialist has a specialist contract under the NHS and PALS will be the people you can complain to.

splintersinmebum · 08/01/2013 19:18

lots of private dentists do unnecessary treatment - particularly crowns where they have a huge mark up.

Nyancat · 08/01/2013 20:00

Titanic you would report it to the health and social care board, would have been one of the 4 a few years ago but all one now.

Collaborate · 08/01/2013 20:04

No money in NHS dentistry? I acted for a wife of e dentist on divorce not so long ago and he was pulling in over £170k profit a year.