Where do you think I stand re: dentist

[Seona1973]

I have been on maternity leave (now just a SAHM!) and had a maternity exemption certificate which covered me till the start of October. In August I had my 6 monthly check up and was told I needed 3 fillings replaced. The appointment to start this treatment was at the start of September. My dentist then hurt his shoulder at the gym and each time a new appointment was made he was still off sick and I had to reschedule. This was done 3 or 4 times. The first appointment that he has managed to be there for is today (29 October) I have now had 2 of the fillings replaced today with the other one due to be done next Thursday.

The question is will they expect me to pay for my treatment/are they allowed to ask me for payment?!! as the only reason I havent been able to get it done before the start of October is because the dentist had injured himself.

I think they do have the right to, but they may not. Do you normally pay at the start for a course of treatment?

When I was maternity exempt, I was told that whatever was decided while it was free, would be done free!

My maternity exemption was up in the January and I think it was June before I finished the treatment (only two fillings but they, and I, kept cancelling!).

Provided the course of treatment was started before your exemption expired, all the treatmnet is free. They are NOT allowed to charge you.

does the 6 monthly check up count as the start of treatment then? - that is when I was told about the fillings needing replacing. That was in August but the actual treatment part has only started today.

The start of treatment is from when a treatment plan has been devised, which would have been at you check-up when it was noted you needed the treament so they can't charge you a penny.

thanks for your help