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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think I should be able to afford dental treatment

21 replies

TastingTheRainbow · 14/05/2019 20:52

Just a rant as not a lot I can do about it but I’m just feeling so fed up that I work full time for the NHS, in a job that required me to go to university and get a degree and yet I am sat here in pain with toothache and I have to stay like this until the 28th as I can’t afford dental treatment.

It’s just ridiculous that those that work hard get punished for this, my wage is above the cut off for most benefits so I’m automatically not entitled to anything which I do understand but surely they can see that the wage they pay just isn’t enough to live on.

On paper I get a good wage, take off my tax, my national insurance, my student loan repayment, my registration fee, my pension contribution, my parking at work and I’m left with so little, but they calculate entitlement to everything by using gross income which just isn’t accurate when you’re having so much deducted from it.

I would honestly only be around £200 a month worse off if I quit work as my child is disabled so I’d then be entitled to carers allowance, income support etc. and then while only being £200 a month worse off I’d be getting free school meals, free school transport, free prescriptions, free eye tests, free dental care.

Why is this acceptable? I’m just ranting as I’m honestly at the point where I’m ready to leave and I love my job, I’m good at my job but I can’t continue like this.

OP posts:
user87382294757 · 14/05/2019 20:57

I'm on a low income so would qualify but problem here is no NHS dentists taking on patients so need to go private. It works out not too bad though, I use Simply health insurance which is £9 a month and makes everything half price and free check ups. Children go free. It is a lovely dentist and they don't overcharge, so worth it in my experience. they saw me next with a chipped tooth also. I hate the dentist so it has really helped my confidence, and the children like him also.

user87382294757 · 14/05/2019 20:58

Maybe you could work part time for a while if it makes not much difference to your income and would help you.

Original poster
TastingTheRainbow · 14/05/2019 21:06

Part time work would make me worse off as I need to not be working to get the income support and carers allowance.

That’s how wrong the system is, I would be better off not working then working part time and I’m only better off by £200 a month working full time. Most of the financial help I can get due to my child’s disability only kicks in once I’m unemployed.

How are those in minimum wage jobs better off in work? The system is bonkers!

OP posts:
Original poster
TastingTheRainbow · 14/05/2019 21:09

Although I’ve just found out that council tax benefit is only claimable if your property is band B or less, when did that come in! Properties B and below are few and far between in this area, I guess it’s a way to prevent helping people because they can “afford” a house worth more, never mind the fact it’s not their house and they are renting and it has to be in that (overpriced) area to prevent your child travelling over an hour to the only school that will take him in the county!

OP posts:
user87382294757 · 15/05/2019 16:31

I agree it is rubbish, they need people like you well to work in NHS and should help more. I hope you find a good dentist etc, PIP / DLA I understand is not means tested also if that helps any.

NoBaggyPants · 15/05/2019 16:37

@TastingTheRainbow Council tax support rules are largely set by the local authority, so it will be them that has decided to limit it to band A or B. I've never heard of that rule before, can I ask where you are?

flirtygirl · 15/05/2019 17:01

You can walk part time and still get carers allowance. That's what I'm aiming for when/if I get back to work.

The level seems low but covers most lower paid jobs and working 16-20 hours a week so if you currently get tax credits then they will be adjusted also.

user87382294757 · 15/05/2019 17:03

It's only £100 a week i think for the carers

BogglesGoggles · 15/05/2019 17:05

This is the reason I turned down my medical school place. NHS just doesn’t pay enough. I feel really sorry for everyone working for it. It’s a really hard job but the compensation is artificially suppressed wages and poor working conditions. Have you considered moving overseas or into the private sector?

wizzywig · 15/05/2019 17:07

Is it hsa where you pay £10 a month and it covers your dental bills?

Processedpea · 15/05/2019 17:07

It's the same for lots in the private sector I have to use my credit card for dental treatment. Car upkeep etc.

gamerchick · 15/05/2019 17:13

It's only £100 a week i think for the carers

£123 a week you can earn before you lose it.

Maybe it's time to take out a plan with your dentist OP, we'll all have to eventually probably.

vickibee · 15/05/2019 17:17

Have you applied foe dla for your disabled child. You may be eligible.
We get Marc and lim for our asd son. Like you we cannot claim careers because we earn too much. But not that much

GarnierBBCream · 15/05/2019 17:19

There's no more income support. It's all UC. I highly doubt you'd be better off on benefits. Hmm

Asta19 · 15/05/2019 17:24

The thing is NHS dental treatment might be “free” when you can actually get it but, in my experience, most NHS dentists are crap. I’ve seen several over the years and all they want to do is pull problem teeth, there’s no effort or advice in terms of what might be done to save a tooth. No real patient care.

I took the plunge and went to a good private dentist a while ago. The difference is unbelievable. Yes I am paying a lot of money for it but I would never go back to an NHS dentist again even if they paid me!

However, your situation sounds like it’s about more than the dentist. If it’s an infection causing the pain you can get antibiotics from your GP. I’ve done that before. As pp’s have suggested, look more into the benefits situation too.

Pollywollydolly · 15/05/2019 17:25

You should be able to claim council tax reduction regardless of which band you are in. If you can't get that then ask your council for a form to claim an exceptional hardship payment. This is to help with your council tax. CAB will be able to help by checking you are getting all the help you are entitled to or you can try this website www.entitledto.co.uk/

holibab · 15/05/2019 17:30

OP would already be claiming DLA to be talking about carers allowance as you have to have one before the other.

There ought to be a loan system for dental fees that is paid back via national insurance.

user87382294757 · 15/05/2019 17:33

So...you could work part time and maybe get carers too...might have to be under £100 a week though, maybe a benefits checking service could help you. there are some online

MyDcAreMarvel · 15/05/2019 17:37

Do you not claim tax credits op? As they would go up with a disabled child.

daftgeranium · 15/05/2019 18:18

You should vote for a party that funds the NHS properly, and doesn't run it into the ground so that taxpayers have to go private for their basic dental care. Anyone who votes Tory and expects anything different is deluded.

damekindness · 15/05/2019 18:25

Are you near a university that does dentistry? They usually have walk in clinics that offer free care delivered by students but supervised by qualified dentists

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