Anyone a dentist? Should I have paid??

[yummymumtobe]

I have a current maternity exemption certificate. Last week I went to the dentist because I chipped my tooth and it turned out I needed an inlay. It has somehow cost me £500. I was in a bit of shock and it all feels a blur. I'm not really sure how it all happened and just went ahead as I was so overwhelmed as wasn't expecting it to be a big deal (have never had a filling or anything before) and just wanted it over and done with before i had time to think too much about the drilling etc. Now I'm worried that I shouldn't have paid. She was it wasn't free because the inlay in ceramic. No mean comments about parting so easily with £500 please. I know it's a lot of money but at the time I thought maybe it was normal as its what we paid when our cat had a tooth taken out!

You only get free dental treatment with a maternity exemption certificate if you have NHS treatment. It sounds like you have paid for private treatment.

Your certificate doesn't cover everything.

When I was pg many years ago I had to pay £80 for a white filling. Only amalgam fillings were covered by the certificate but then they're not recommended to have when pregnant.

I think ceramic inlays are private only and not available on the nhs. So certainly won't be covered by the exemption certificate. Didnt know they were so expensive though!

There are no longer any rules about what materials can and can't be used on the NHS, it is up to the dentist. If you went to an NHS dentist and they knew you had an exemption certificate the treatment should have been free. If they were providing private treatment for you any costs should have been discussed beforehand with you. If you went to a private dentist treatment would not have been free even with a certificate.

Thanks all. She is an NHS dentist. I feel like I am going to have to go in and try and sort it out! Dentists seem to be such a grey area, not like doctors where nhs=don't pay! Not sliding scales and confusion!

Hmmm tricky.

When I was in the maternity exemption period I registered with an nhs dentist. I had my check up for free and needed a filling.

The dentist was very clear that I could either have an amalgam filling for no (pos) charge or a white ceramic filling privately. I think charging for that particular treatment is normal but they should have been more transparent.

X posts! It was about a year ago that I went, so maybe rules have changed.

Were you given a treatment plan to sign agreeing the treatment and cost before treatment went ahead?
Were all your options discussed with you?

I didn't sign anything. We just talked and it somehow happened. And all I have now is a receipt for the figure. I am going back in 10 days to have the inlay put in. I had my baby with me in his car seat and was worried about the time and it all just sort of happened

The rules changed with the new contract in 2006. However unfortunately many dentists aren't clear about this. The dentist would have to feel that this inlay was necessary for cosmetic reasons only. If it was necessary to have a ceramic inlay to protect and maintain oral health it should have been on the NHS. www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/985.aspx?CategoryID=74&SubCategoryID=742

It is probably worth ringing and asking to speak to practise manager before the inlay is fitted and explain what you have stated here, ie lack of clarity,treatment plan(especially signed) and clinical need, ie should have been provided on NHS.
If you are not happy with their response it may be worth pursuing further. The dentist does not sound very professional.

I have phoned and spoken to them. Clarified that I can have an NHS one for free. Now undecided as to whether to pay for the 'best' or have an nhs one

That's a good outcome! Take the nhs one.

Well done.
Have they explained the difference?

well done, as toddlewaddle says you need to know exactly what the two different ones are now so you can make an informed decision. Ask them what the NHS one is made of, and what the pros and cons are.