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Can anyone who knows anything about dental treatment and costs read this please

18 replies

nutcracker · 08/11/2007 17:19

Ok, about 6 mths ago I registered at a local dentists as my old one got rid of us as they went private.

The new one I registered at was also private but one dentist had started to take nhs.

At the first appointment for myself and 3 dc's, I asked about the apparant placque (sp?) on dd1's bottom front teeth and was told that they couldn't scrape that off for free for children on the NHS. I was quite annoyed and a bit confused, as I am currently on Income support so all dental treatment for me is free.

Today we had another appointment and the dentist checked dd1's teeth and said that they were all fine apart from the two bottom front ones which had tartar on them (the same i had pointed out to her before). She said it had to come off and so she could scrape it off and clean and polish dd's teeth but it would cost me £15. I had to agree as obviously it had to be done.

Then when she checked mine, she said that my teeth were all fine but that my gums bled quite alot and so she wanted me to book to see the hygienest, which i agreed to. I had to pay a £5 deposit, and then another £27 at the appointment which is in may.

I kind of understand that I have to pay for extra treatments for me, but I am really puzzled as to why I am having to pay for a 2 min treatment for Dd1 when A)she is only 9, and B) I am supposed to recieve free treatment.

If it is correct then so be it, but I'd just like to check really, as everyone I have told said that I shouldn't of had to pay at all.

OP posts:
lomond · 08/11/2007 17:21

I have no personal experience but i am that you had to pay!

MaryAnnSingleton · 08/11/2007 17:31

I am a private patient at dentist but he sees ds under NHS and we certainly don't pay for that

nutcracker · 08/11/2007 17:49

Yeah that is what everyone else has said, well everyone except other people who go to the one I do.

I am going to ring another dentists and ask them if they would have charged I think.

OP posts:
nutcracker · 08/11/2007 17:49

I didn't have to pay for her check up by the way, just the scraping of her two front teeth and the polishing.

OP posts:
MaryAnnSingleton · 08/11/2007 17:53

having said that, ds has only ever had check ups,no treatment

nutcracker · 08/11/2007 17:54

According to this site, all treatment for people under 18 is free and free if you are on IS.

There is a helpline number at the bottom so I think I will ring that.

OP posts:
Aimsmum · 08/11/2007 17:57

Message withdrawn

nutcracker · 08/11/2007 17:59

I am going to ring the helpline tommorow and see what they say I think.

OP posts:
nutcracker · 08/11/2007 18:17

Bumping for any more opinions or any dentists.

OP posts:
Furball · 08/11/2007 18:23

ds had exactly this done at NHS dentist last week free. I however needed a filling £46 - at adult prices on NHS

SuzieSweep · 08/11/2007 18:25

You shouldn't have to pay for BOTH the reasons you describe, i.e. young child and income support. Can you go onto the nhs website and find out or phone the british dental association people because you most definately don't have to pay.

goingfor3 · 08/11/2007 18:30

It's such a basic treatment that you shouldn't have had to apy for your DD to have it done, NHS dentist do root canals for free of you are entitiled so I can't see why you were charged. When I was pregnant I didn't have to pay to see the hygenist so that should be free for you too. Change dentist otherwise she is going to find as many ways as she can to get more money out of people.

nutcracker · 08/11/2007 18:35

Blimey really, god now I am mad, why charge me for something that should be free.

The reason she gave the first time for NOT taking the tartar off when I asked her too, was that that treatment for children was not provided for free by the nhs. So that was basically a lie then ??

Will I stand any chance of getting the money back ?? I have a reciept.

OP posts:
nutcracker · 08/11/2007 18:41

The dentist doesn't have a website but I just found this about them on a website that lists local dentists

  • Currently accepting new fee-paying NHS patients
  • Accepting new charge-exempt adults for NHS treatment
  • Accepting new children aged 0-18 years for NHS treatment
  • Currently only Mrs Dheri accepting NHS Patients at Practice.

I am confused now, especially about the 'fee paying NHS patients' bit. They knew I was on IS right from the start so that I wasn't a fee paying NHS patient.

OP posts:
nutcracker · 08/11/2007 18:45

I come under the second point don't I ? and Dd1 the 3rd ?

OP posts:
mazmack · 08/11/2007 20:52

Children are exempt from charges for all NHS treatment...(am a dental receptionist).

mazmack · 08/11/2007 20:54

..and yes, if you are on IS you are charge-exempt too!

mazmack · 08/11/2007 21:02

..sounds like they are taking you on as an NHS patient but treating you as a private one!!

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