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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

What happens at dentist if you have treatment but no money to pay after?

207 replies

HighlyOptimistic · 14/12/2020 12:04

Need emergency dental treatment wisdom tooth acute pain.

Furloughed on about £200 month absolutely zero money in bank until next pay day. Nobody to borrow from, work won’t sub me, don’t have credit for loans, not eligible for free dental.

If I just have the appointment and afterwards present my debit card for payment, it will be declined as there’s about £3 in my bank, what happens next?

Will dentist just invoice me? Keep my bank card as security? Call police?
I have no way of paying but the pain is making me nearly faint and I’m already at the limit of how many paracetamols I can take in this 24 hour period.

I’m not trying to defraud or steal, I just genuinely have no money in my bank until pay day in 2 weeks time (work pays early at Christmas so it will be Christmas Eve , too late to wait).

Is there a dental receptionist or dentist/assistant on here that can advise?

I don’t want to risk saying before my appointment I can’t afford to pay as they won’t take me in. My whole face is throbbing. I’m not wasting A&E time as 111 said only go if you’re having breathing difficulties. I am but that’s me trying to keep a panic attack away because of the pain (I’m managing the panic attack).

OP posts:
DonkeyMcFluff · 14/12/2020 12:06

Can you go to a NHS dentist instead? If I was in that much pain I’d just do it and to hell with the consequences.

dewisant2020 · 14/12/2020 12:07

When I go to the dentist they always require payment as soon as my appointment is over.
I did forget to pay once and walked straight out and they sent me an invoice

RoseDog · 14/12/2020 12:07

Do you have a dental hospital near you?

LegoPandemic · 14/12/2020 12:08

People do get into debt with dentists. We can’t sit on people and make them pay! Firstly it would be a few polite letters and eventually sent to debt collection agency.
As long as you pay when you say you can- ie Christmas Eve - it should be fine.
Are you on benefits?

LittleOwl153 · 14/12/2020 12:08

At my dentist you pay before you see the dentist so I'm not sure that would work...

Dastardlythefriendlymutt · 14/12/2020 12:09

In my experience most ask for payment upfront. I had an emergency extraction of a wisdom tooth last week that was impacted and causing me unbearable pain.

My bew dental insurance only kicks in after 3 months as I just left my old one. Anyway, my card was declined because they don't accept that card and I didn't want to use my other cards, so they told me to use the cash machine outside, before we could proceed. You might not be able to get treatment without payment. I'm sorry.

Whywhywhy48 · 14/12/2020 12:09

Can you go to a dental hospital?

Beamur · 14/12/2020 12:09

Some dentists take payment before treatment. I would be upfront and ask if they have a payment by installment option.

PawPawNoodle · 14/12/2020 12:10

I'm not sure what the case is across the board but my NHS dentist is making us pay in advance (I even had to pay for my June 2021 check up when I booked it). My friend at a different dentist had to pay a £50 deposit for her appointment.

How can you not be eligible for free dentistry if you're on such a low income?

OneRingToRuleThemAll · 14/12/2020 12:10

At my dentist payment is before the treatment not after.

Redannie118 · 14/12/2020 12:12

If you are in or near a big city there should be a dental hospital that will treat you for free as long as you are in pain. Ring 111 and they will be able to advise you on where your nearest is. I live in Newcastle- so not the biggest city in the UK by any means and we have one.

Ifailed · 14/12/2020 12:12

Can you go to a NHS dentist instead? Still have to pay at a NHS Dentist.

Sam1815 · 14/12/2020 12:14

Most practices you need to pay before you go in the room to avoid the scenario of someone not paying, as it comes out of the dentist’s own pay if the patient doesn’t pay depending on their contract.
Unfortunately you may not get into the room without paying but I’m not too sure as it’s individual to the practices own policies.

It may be worth discussing it with them and seeing if you come to a compromise for you to pay later and them not to fine the dentist for that; or seeing if you have a dental hospital close as that treatment is free?

Aprilx · 14/12/2020 12:14

If it is an expensive procedure, I would expect to be asked to pay at the start of the appointment. I am going for a crown as my tooth broke recently and this is what I am expecting.

You might as well book the appointment and see what happens though. If they don’t take payment up front and then it is rejected they will invoice you, chase you and then send it to debt collection.

Try something like Oragel rather than paracetamol, it will numb the area a little. I also bought some Genigel mouth rinse when my tooth broke to help keep the area as clean as possible.

LittleOwl153 · 14/12/2020 12:15

Assuming you don't live with a partner (who should surely be helping if you do) then you can claim help with NHS costs if you are only earning £200 a month.
www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/nhs-low-income-scheme-lis/

You should also get onto universal credit....

Roselilly36 · 14/12/2020 12:15

You poor thing OP, dental pain is awful.

NHS dentists charge, do you receive any benefits that may exempt you from NHS dental charges, due to low income?

Would a family member/or friend lend you some money to visit the dentist?

If not I would suggest having a conversation with the receptionist and ask if you could pay in installments? This should be done prior to the treatment. Good luck.

HunterHearstHelmsley · 14/12/2020 12:15

My dentist would let me pay later, I've had the same dentist since I was 9. They know I've always paid so would allow it as a one off. Could you ask yours?

Spidey66 · 14/12/2020 12:16

This shocking, that someone is in severe pain and can't afford a dentist. It goes against everything the NHS stands for.

I know dental charges have always been there even on the NHS, but it's still terrible. I think NHS dentistry needs reforming and a cap on charges at least on anything non cosmetic.

Wales34 · 14/12/2020 12:16

I'm south Wales there is an emergency dentist who will do this type of work . Call 111 see the services in your area

PassataQueenofBritain · 14/12/2020 12:22

Do you have a dental hospital near you? I had my wisdom teeth sorted at ours (ended up requiring GA for extractions).
I hope there is, because there's nothing like dental pain Thanks

HomeSliceKnowsBest · 14/12/2020 12:24

Present at A&E and you'll get it sorted.

Ernieshere · 14/12/2020 12:28

I would ring and be honest with them, they may let you pay in 2 wks.

midinthenight · 14/12/2020 12:29

My private dentist and Dh's Nhs dentist both take payment after treatment but it looks as though that's not always the case. Get the treatment if you can then deal with it afterwards. Trying to do the right thing in this instance isn't going to help your pain.

If your card is declined, you could ask them to invoice you and that you'll call with another card when you've received it.

Beamur · 14/12/2020 12:29

NHS dentists do not offer all treatments sometimes, the one I go to offers some on private instead. You can't get lots of cheap unnecessary cosmetic treatments on the NHS.