I don't understand these dental charges

[MotherOfFeralChild]

DP is out of work and has just been to the dentist for the first time in many years due to dental phobia.
He has come back with a treatment plan:
LL6 LR6/7 fillings amalgam £62.10
UR6 crown £269.30
LL7 root canal (illegible) crown £269.30
So this looks like 3 x £62.10 + 2 x £269.30. I thought there was a cap on charges and he would just pay the band 3 price for all the work?

Yes he should just pay one Band 3 charge of £269.30. What they are trying to charge him is fraudulent

Or were they just detailing on it which price band each treatment fell into

It's not fraudulent to phase NHS Dental treatment. It can be split into separate courses with the initial treatment being used to stabilise dental disease. So remove decay, extract unsavable teeth, stabilise gum disease. The second would be root canal treatment and third phase complex work such as crowns. He needs to ask them to explain the charges though as I am assuming they are phasing as he hasn't attended in a long time.
If he is out of work is he eligible for help with his NHS charges?

Surely if a treatment plan has been set up then that is charged as one course of treatment and should not be counted as more than one chargeable course?

But if that were the case he would pay 2 x band 2 and 1 x band 3 over at least a 6 month period?

www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/dentists/understanding-nhs-dental-charges/

What you've outlined there should definately be one course of treatment, with one band 3 charge.

You will not be charged for individual items within an NHS course of treatment.

Depending on what you need to have done, you should only ever be asked to pay one charge for each completed course of treatment, even if you need to visit your dentist more than once to finish it.

A course of treatment is completed when the treatment listed inyour treatment planhas been provided in full.

www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/avoidance-of-doubt-provision-of-phased-treatments-v20.pdf
Above are the NHS guidelines on phased treatment. I was always taught to stabilse disease befor embarking on complex treatment. The two band 3s make no sense though so he needs to ask for an explanation.

Might be a stupid question, but is he registered as an NHS patient with the dentist?

He's back on Monday for the root canal and crown, which is needed urgently for a broken tooth and exposed nerve. He's terrified about the treatment and the cost and not really in the frame of mind to discuss it. Also very unhappy about having a metal crown and not being able to afford porcelain.

The NHS guidance clearly says that all treatment detailed on the treatment plan is within one course of treatment. The fact that it may take several visits is irrelevant. The guidance document above shows that the only time phased treatment can be used is where the plan is unclear and interim treatments have to be given before the definitive treatment.

@MillyMollyMardy are you a dentist?

Just ask him to give his consent for you to discuss his treatment and dental costs and you can ask on his behalf.

Yes I'm a dentist. If he's having the crown and root treatment before the fillings the phased treatment does not apply.
I had assumed they were talking about possible future treatment needs once he is stable and has been able to cope with treatment if he has severe anxiety.

@MillyMollyMardy
If he has the other crown done on a different day, will he still pay the same? I think it might be too much for him to have both done at once.
I wish I could go with him or phone up and ask but work commitments won't allow it.

No, if it;s under the same course of treatment it's all under the same band 3 charge. It doesn't matter how many visits it takes.
Two things to bear in mind if he doesn't turn up for an appointment or cancels late without a reasonable excuse the course of treatment will be closed off and he'd pay again or if he doesn't attend for two months the treatment plan may be closed off and he'll pay again.

Just remind him to ask them to allow you to discuss his care and you can phone on another day.
He can always change the crown for a different type when he can afford it.
Is he eligible for any help with the charges if he's out of work?

@MillyMollyMardy

I don't think he is eligible, as he's not claiming any benefits. Thank you for your advice, it's been a big help.

No problem. I hope it goes well for him.

I'm paying for extensive dental work (also, major phobia) with gas and air at the dental hospital as well as getting a plate made at my local dentist.
Both treatment plans have every extraction etc. listed with a total at the end which was pointed out to me.

Just pulled out my plan and my fillings are listed as Amalgam £19.92 and Composite fillings at £0.00, £14.64 and £22.76.

I'm getting gas and air sedation at the local hospital over 4 visits with extractions, fillings, full X-rays, a scale and polish and the total cost is £200.72. I'm in Scotland though. Is he definitely listed as an NHS patient?

@slashlover be grateful you are in Scotland ! The NHS dental charges in England & Wales are completely different: 3 bands.

He has two price lists, one for NHS and one for private. I suspect this is so that he can mix and match the treatment e.g. crowns on NHS and fillings paid privately so that he can get white ones if he prefers.