dental regulations

[bluemooner]

I recently turned up for my quarterly appointment with the Hygienist to be told that I would no longer be able to make any further appointments until I had seen the Dentist for a check-up. My last visit to the dentist was in March-08, where as well  as being relieved of the best part of £3k was perscribed visits to see the Hygienist. Having done so on the recommended timescale, I was then told (march-09) that because I  had not seen  the dentist for over a year I would need to make an appointment with him before seeing the  hygienist again. This I took issue with as my teeth were fine... and ultimately I felt  that I should be the one who decided when I needed to see him. Having spoken to him on the matter I felt he had no good reason to prevent me from seeing the hygienist (he said that he needed to cover himself against insurance claims)....(had check-up as I was there) but nearly 2years on I have been confronted with the same issue. I dont feel able to comply and I suspect that his demands are financially driven as it is my understanding he is able to claim a fee from the NHS for this check-up.

I would be most grateful for guidance in this matter and am fully prepared to accept that I may be n the wrong. thanks in anticipation.     bluemooner.

[HiHo]

You say that you are the best judge of whether to go or not, but that judgement led to you requiring £3000 worth treatment and hygiene  visits. For the sake of a single check up a year i would go see my dentist as they recommend.
What did you have done that cost so much?

[Dental Technician]

EXACTLY, see my posts mate, the dentists have it sewn up and thats why you need to register this with the gdc on their scope of practice review, your right, you should be able to see the hygienist direct but its only going to happen if you tell the guys who run the show (THE GDC) that you want direct access without referral, its the same for clinical dental technicians and partial dentures, we are qualified to administer the treatment but not qualified to know what we are treating???/ go figure that logic out!
The rules need changing for the benefit of the patient, register your views with the GDC on their website

[bluemooner]

Hi DT, thanks  for your response, most informative. Following your advice I have written to the GDC and am now awaiting their response....will keep you informed.

[raoulmp]

just for your reference:

the Hygienist works under prescirption (instructions) from your dentist. under current regulations, the prescription/ treatment plan for you to see the hygienist is only valid for one year from your last dental check-up.

Even though your hyginiest is qualififed enough  to know exactly what treatment you need, the regulatory bodies in their infinite wisdom have decided that Hygienists are not allowed to prescribe their own treatment, and must work according to the instructions of the reffering dentist.

Therefore you must have seen the reffering dentist within one year, otherwise a new checkup will be required.