Am I being a CF?

[DerelictWreck]

About 6 weeks ago I registered with a new dentist and asked for an urgent appointment as a bottom front tooth looked chipped it had become sensitive.

Dentist couldn't see me for a week (not urgent but if they're busy, they're busy). At my appointment she said my tooth wasn't chipped, it was just scale and needed a scale and polish. She told me to book in two appointments for treatment - one with her to replace a filling that was loose, and one with the hygienist for the scale and polish to deal with the issue.

I have had to wait 5 weeks for availability for these appointments, which I am sat in the waiting room for now. Receptionist has just told me that the hygentist appointment is £50 which no one mentioned before.

At my old dentist scale and polish was always included in the treatment and a quick look at the nhs guidelines says that this is how it should be. I have asked the receptionist t to clarify with the dentist why I have to see the hygienist and pay extra for this service, and instead she has cancelled my appointment (slight language barrier I think).

Am I being a CF here or am I right to be pissed that I'm being held to ransom a bit over an urgent piece of treatment as an nhs patient?

www.scottishdental.org/public/treatment-charges/

Essentially it sounds like you’ve been referred to a private hygienist which I would agree is sneaky.

I've never had a scale and polish for under £50 at the NHS dentist

I’m seeing the dentist for a check up next week. I ruddy hope he cleans as the next hygienist appointment is in bloody January!

A dentist friend was saying they don't get enough money from nhs to cover their time anymore for things like scale and polish. Most practises use private hygienist

My old dentist used to do it during the check up years ago but I've had to book separate appt and pay last few times.

Paid around £40.

So can we kick up a fuss and insist the dentist does it if they deem it necessary to refer us to a hygienist? I've often wondered this when idly reading the banding costs in the waiting room.

Have had this problem recently at my dental practice.My own dentist does the scale & polish but went on maternity leave.So had to see the other dentist earlier in the year who doesn't do the scale & polish & referred me to the hygienist.Receptionist told me wouldnt have to pay extra as my own was on maternity leave.Roll on a few months later after doing an audit decided to ring me to say owed money for seeing the hygienist.
I tried telling the manager that was told at appointment that wouldn't be charged extra,but she wouldn't listen.Needless to say I am looking for another dentist,as am not happy at the way the practice has treated me.
Also the gentleman who did the audit had a long list of people to chase up for money