NHS dentistry - do I have a leg to stand on?

[NotOnUrNelly]

I've been registered with my dentist as an NHS patient for at least 10 years - and made an appointment 2 weeks ago - they gave me a form to check my medical details - but no NHS form to sign - stupidly I didn't notice this at the time.....I was treated (extraction and he started doing a root canal which he has temporarily filled) and NOW the receptionist has told me that it was private treatment and I agreed to it. I said I will call the receptionist later today to discuss in more detail as the dentist was busy with another patient by the time the argument got properly started...damn damn damn. I guess if I signed the form with my medical details on it, I have agreed to private treatment? If not is it just their word against mine - ? I guess I should just hold out and wait for them to take me to court for non payment if I didn't sign anything ? Any ideas most welcome...

If I remember correctly, they are supposed to give you letter with the rough cost of the treatment before they treat you so that you know how much it's going to hurt. They can't just charge you afterwards.

At my dentist I always get a printed estimate (NHS & private) before any major expensive treatment.

Unless the form you signed clearly indicated the costs involved then I think you should be able to pay just NHS charges? They shouldn't start procedures like extractions/root canal without making the costs clear.

Good luck

great - thanks so much for that both of you- you're right, when I was on the NHS, they always told me the price....I'm still hoping they'll back down

In case anyone else has similar in future - this may be of use (when can dentist deregister you from NHS) www.bvhpct.nhs.uk/services/dental_care.html - not sure it applies in my case, but I'm going to throw it at them anyway.