dental care during pregnancy -- should i go for nhs or stay private?

[keepingiteasy]

I'm in my second trimester and am planning to get my routine check up + scale and polish done soon (my teeth are fine but it's been more than a year since my last private check-up). Since i'm now covered by the NHS I tried calling the dental practices in the area to register. However, one practice told me I'd have to see a hygienist at the first appointment and it's going to be a 45-min session costing £81, which is in addition to the band 1 "check up" covered by the NHS!

I called another practice and they booked me in for an NHS band 1 check up, but the receptionist says if i need a scale and polish they'd refer me to a hygienist which is once again private.

Is this normal? I used to see a private dentist but it seems that i'd actually be paying a similar amount even if i go NHS. Or are there things I should be looking out for?

Yes this is normal your not covered for the hygienist and only certain things are covered by NHS such as fillings ect xx

Hygienist For cleaning isn’t usually covered by NHS where I am, so you have to pay for it (usually about £50-75) plus when you do have to pay the check up is usually about £20 even with NHS (altho that bit will be free if pregnant)

It's free if you're pregnant isn't it? It is in Wales. They won't give you a free scale and polish if you don't need one though.

I'm normally private but moved to an NHS dentist during pregnancy, only the check up is free not the hygienist which i wasn't aware of. I'm still registered at my private practice so will pay for a clean there if need be as same price at both.
My dentist did suggest not having a clean during pregnancy and to wait until after baby is born, i asked why and she said the slight risk of infection but i can't see it being a problem.

I did however get a free mouth guard at the NHS dentist as i grind my teeth at night, which my private dentist wanted £160 for!

i see! thanks everyone for replying!
That makes sense, and good to hear that at least the check up is free (i somehow forgot about that). it's just surprising that one of the dental practices i called requires me to see a hygienist at the first appointment (and £81 is actually much more than i'd pay at my private dentist!). I think i'll get my check up and go from there. thanks everyone!!

That is not correct.
Firstly, NHS dental practices in England do not ‘register’ patients in the same way that GPs do (although a lot of them like to say that to patients). Where about in the UK are you OP?
If a scale and polish is required with your check up, and it isn’t always, it is covered by Band 1 treatment fee and they are breaking the Regulations by saying it isn’t. If it isn’t required but you’d like one anyway or a deep clean, they like to send people onto a private hygienist, which is fair.
The ‘NHS fees’ poster that must be displayed in all practices states briefly what is covered by each treatment band.

www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/dental-health/how-much-will-i-pay-for-nhs-dental-treatment/

^

I'm in England. I suppose i'd just have to let them tell me if they think a scale and polish is required (and trust them if they say it's not)? I just thought they could always say it's not required so that they'd not have to do the extra work (since they'd not be getting more money anyway), or am i being too cynical?