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Original poster

Can anyone explain the NHS dentist price bands?

29 replies

kid · 15/04/2009 18:10

Just got back from a dentist appt with DH. He is registered there as a NHS patient but has been quote £1,000 for treatment.

He hasn't been for a very long time so I guess we should have expected a fair amount of work, but I thought they had to stick to the price banding or am I missing something?

I have to go myself tomorrow and I am wondering if I am going to be hit with a huge bill too!

OP posts:
CarGirl · 15/04/2009 18:14

On the NHS unles you are entitled to free treatment you still have to pay. A few years ago dh went for a new patient appointment on the NHS it was £19.36 privately it was £25.

Original poster
kid · 15/04/2009 18:18

I was expecting to have to pay, but I thought the new price bands were used (£16.50 for check up, £45.90 for fillings, £198 for lots!)

I am totally shocked at the cost of the treatment, supposing people don't have £1,000, do they just have to suffer then? I think its madness.

I just wondered if anyone has any experience of the price bands being used. How can I check if the price quoted is for a NHS patient and not private patient?

OP posts:
littlerach · 15/04/2009 18:19

Ours does the banding too.

CarGirl · 15/04/2009 18:22

Ring up and ask the dentist, or try your local PCT. Sorry dh's treatment was before banding.

Original poster
kid · 15/04/2009 18:25

They charged the £16.50 today which is in line with the banding, I thought DH was joking when he told me it will cost £1,000

I am going myself tomorrow and am expecting/dreading a filling. I don't even want to go but know I have no choice.
I think I will wait until after the treatment before I query DH's bill

I wonder if I can phone someone other than the dentist and let them deal with them. Nothing like the cowards way out

OP posts:
CarGirl · 15/04/2009 18:26

Does he need crowns or possibly an implant? I think crowns are around £500

Original poster
kid · 15/04/2009 18:35

He needs 1 crown. According to the NHS price bands, that falls in band 2.

This is what I found on the internet:

NHS Dentist Charges Structure
£16.50 - This charge includes an examination, diagnosis and preventive care. If necessary, this includes X-rays, scale and polish, and planning for further treatment. Urgent and out-of-hours care also costs £16.50.
£45.60 - This charge includes all necessary treatment covered by the £16.50 charge PLUS additional treatment such as fillings, root canal treatment or extractions.
£198 -This charge includes all necessary treatment covered by the £16.50 and £45.60 charges PLUS more complex procedures such as crowns, dentures or bridges.

I think I am going to need to print this out and take it with me. Do all NHS dentits have to follow this or is that wishful thinking on my part?

OP posts:
Original poster
kid · 15/04/2009 18:35

Ok, I just noticed that a crown falls into band 3, but its not a thousand pound!

OP posts:
CarGirl · 15/04/2009 18:38

Sorry I have no idea, could it be that he asked for a white crown which is only available privately?

CarGirl · 15/04/2009 18:39

You need to hope that comeoveneer finds this thread!

CaptainUnderpants · 15/04/2009 18:59

is it classed as essentail treatement or are they saying it is cosmetic , if cosmetic then they are giving you the private rate.

I recently had a tooth out and went back to the dentist some six weeks later and asked about a bridge being fitted over the gap, because it wasn't essential treatment , dentist deemed it as cosmectic then I would have to pay private fees !

I in no uncertain terms told the dentsit that we couldnot afford private fees and thats is why we changed to NHS dentist. Now I have a gap and the only way of getting it filled would be a denture .

CaptainUnderpants · 15/04/2009 19:00

Cargirl is right about the white crown , it is the same as white fillings , you get charged the private rate for that .

Original poster
kid · 15/04/2009 19:48

The dentist did offer him white fillings, but DH said the silver ones will be fine as its at the back of his mouth and won't be seen.

He also just remembered that he has an abcess under a tooth. It seems like the list goes on and on!

Think of me tomorrow while I am at the dentist, I am terrified already, quite pathetic really!

OP posts:
Original poster
kid · 16/04/2009 17:00

I faced my fear and went to the dentist.
He was so sweet and kind to me. He even offered sedation for a filling which I declined. I'm going back next week for the first of 2 fillings. My last visit was in 2003, I think I have been extremely lucky with my teeth.

I queried DH's treatment cost and its because he has so much to have done that they can't do it on the NHS. The dentist has recommended we get dental insurance and claim off that. Any suggestions?

OP posts:
kiddiz · 16/04/2009 17:58

I had two white crowns both done at the same time so same course of treatment at my nhs dentist. I paid £198 for all the work done. But my dentist will remove patients from his nhs list if you don't attend regularly in line with the nhs guidelines. You would then only be seen as a private patient.

orangehead · 16/04/2009 18:10

Kid, that explanation does not sound right. Unless some work is cosmetic which would be charged privately. I would ask for a breakdown of charges and ask your pct about it

orangehead · 16/04/2009 18:13

Also if this is the case, he could ask for only the nhs work be done to which the maximum would £198. Any additional charge is not nhs

CaptainUnderpants · 16/04/2009 18:34

the problem about getting private insurance now for any work to be dome is that the work has aldready been identified which I believ would make any claim invalid.

CarGirl · 16/04/2009 18:59

Is it something to do with the fact he did not seek NHS treatment as soon as he needed it & did not see a dentist regularly therefore he is not entitled to NHS treatment? I have no idea it does sound odd, perhaps speak to the PCT

southeastastra · 16/04/2009 19:10

some prices here

i had one crown, one root canal, two fillings and check up with xrays and paid about £240.

tiggerlovestobounce · 16/04/2009 19:13

My understanding is that some dentists feel that some work cannot be economically done as NHS work, so in theory they could do it for the top price band, but in practice, they feel it wouldnt make financial sense for them to do it, so they will only offer to do it as private work.

herbietea · 16/04/2009 19:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
kid · 16/04/2009 20:53

How do I get the number for the PCT?
I do need to speak to someone about it as I am not happy to just hand over £1,000. I also think that any claim on insurance would be denied at this point as the treatment as already been highlighted.

When I phoned to make an appt, I checked they were accepting us as NHS patients. I went today and was charged band 1 (£16.50) for my examination and x-ray. The same dentist that saw DH yesterday confirmed that my fillings will cost £45 (band 2 price)

DH is going back on Thursday for the start of his treatment which the dentist has said will take months to complete.

OP posts:
Original poster
kid · 16/04/2009 21:50

Does anyone know how to contact comeoveneer

I need to sort this out before DH goes back to the dentist and agrees to any treatment. Its too much money to just pay out without checking it out.

OP posts:
CaptainUnderpants · 17/04/2009 07:58

Google Primary Care Trust and the area you live in that might get you to a number .

Hope you get it sorted .

or what about the British Dental Health Foundation helpline
Dental Helpline on 0845 063 1188

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