To think dentist is ripping me off?

[Allwashedup]

Recently moved to a new area and registered with new dentist in a private practice...anyway, had my first visit last week as a new patient consultation...the receptionist was lovely if a little too friendly, turns out she is the wife of one of the partners at the surgery...dentist examines my mouth and gums and in a nutshell am told I need 5 fillings and a visit to the hygienist!
The consultation didn't include a scale and polish, and I did as the dentist said and on leaving booked several appointments in close succession for the fillings and hygenist.
The treatment plan in total is near £400 and if I miss an appointment I get charged 50%. Although not clear if this also applies to cancelled appointments.
I have just called to reschedule the first appt and the receptionist sounded quite annoyed.
My last dental visit to my previous dentist was only 6 months ago and I got the all clear then, and haven't had any problems since.
I want to cancel these appointments as I don't feel they are necessary, but scared about doing so in case the receptionist again gets shirty with me and tries to make me either pay up or rebook
Tempted to register with an NHS dentist nearby for a second opinion on whether I need this amount of work done.
AIBU to think I'm being ripped off and that the dentist only wants my £££'s?

Yes, register with an NHS dentist.

A private dentist told me that I needed 'many fillings'. I was dubious and got a second opinion.

I didn't need any!

Tempted to register with an NHS dentist nearby for a second opinion on whether I need this amount of work done.

This, as they say.

Yes, private dentists will try to rip you off. It's happened to me.

Same here. I was told by a private dentist that I needed about £2k worth of treatment to fix my gum disease. Spoke to an NHS dentist who said whilst I did have gum disease it was still manageable by good oral hygiene and if it did start to get worse then there were cheaper options.

my old NHS dentist used to moan about private dentists and how they were only after the money and didn't think of the patient, 6 months later his practice became private!!!!

Cancel those appointments OP and go somewhere else. They can't make you pay, and who cares if they get shirty with you. Better that than handing over all that money unnecessarily.

I had a similar experience. I had a check up before moving to a new area, and didn't need anything doing. Six months later I went to a new private dentist and was told I needed two fillings replacing and three new ones. I said I was very surprised to hear this as I'd had a clean bill of health at my last check up. I didn't agree to any treatment from them, and didn't go back there.

I went to a different dentist, also private, for my next check up, and they said I didn't need anything doing. I've kept going there because I don't feel I'm getting ripped off.

20 years ago a private dentist told me I needed 11 fillings. I managed to register with an NHS dentist who said I didn't need any. 20 years later I still don't have any fillings!

If it's any consolation I had a similar experience with an NHS dentist when I tried to move practice, except I was told 10 fillings were needed (although I guess they did try to upsell me to white fillings as they told me this). I didn't book the follow up that day as I was too shocked at the time.

Later that week I went back to my previous dentist for a second opinion - no fillings needed, and 7 years later I still haven't needed any yet. The old dentist refused to bad mouth () the new one, but basically said sometimes it's a matter of opinion, and because they knew my dental history and that things hadn't changed in my mouth for years, they weren't worried about some things that a new dentist might be.

So a long anecdote to say I agree a second opinion sounds sensible, or maybe ask if you can try a watch-and-wait approach until your next normal check up?

My husband needed £2500 worth of work done with his private dentist. He registered with an NHS dentist who did a thorough check, with new X-rays etc.

He didn't need any of it.

My private dentist is awesome

I once went to an NHS dentist that told me that all my fillings needed to be removed and redone

That was well over 20 years ago and was a complete lie

I dont have painkillers either so that would have stung!!

Definitely get a second opinion

You do need to visit the hygienist every six months, as for the filling NHS I would go for a second opinion, don't register with an NHS dentist, they have a reputation for unnecessary extractions because they pay better or sonething like that.

Not all private dentists are bad! Mine is lovely, and when I had a consultation for cosmetic work he even tried telling me I didn't need it doing. My hygienist always does my scale and polish rather than dentist, so I have an appointment t with hygienist first then dentist. But of course some are out to rip you off so get a second opinion, but don't be totally put off private dentists, some are brilliant and not just out for your money.

ttbb extractions and fillings are paid at the same rate so that's incorrect.

Actually thats a thought

My private dentist sends dh to the hygienist but gives my teeth a quick scale and polish when I'm getting my checkup

Did you have X-rays today? You could try calling and saying you are upset at the amount of work needed given your clean bill of health 6 months ago and can the dentist explain to you again, in full, what work is needed and why.

I had a similar experience. Went to a private dentist, while I had a company paid insurance policy. All of a sudden, I needed 6 fillings after never having had one. I made the mistake of going ahead because I wasn't paying and have had no end of trouble with the fillings ever since.

I had a similar experience. Went to a private dentist, while I had a company paid insurance policy. All of a sudden, I needed 6 fillings after never having had one. I made the mistake of going ahead because I wasn't paying and have had no end of trouble with the fillings ever since.

Not true about needing a scale every 6 months, I've never needed a scale before and I'm on yearly check ups (also ex dental nurse)

Thank you everyone. The consultation was supposed to include x-rays, but this didn't happen as we were in the wrong room and the room with the x-ray equipment was in use. The x-rays will be taken at my next appt ( the one I rescheduled but will now cancel).
The consultation was a half price offer for new patients.
I am going to call and cancel my appointments but I am worried about the receptionist/dentist's wife being annoyed with me again. Stupid isn't it - I need to be more assertive.

As none of us can look in your mouth, none of us know whether you need 5 fillings. Maybe you do. Maybe you don't.

are

Thats why people are suggesting a second opinion

Are no need to be so rude. Have had some very helpful advice so far.

@PurpleRose01 But extractions are much quicker so essentially do help dentists reach their targets - that's why there was a period where unscrupulous dentists (who were genuinely struggling to make ends meet under NHS contracts) were extracting rather than filling. It was a known issue in the industry but has been clamped down on now.