Dentist Prices

[Webmaster]

is it me, or are the Dentist rules so complicated that Dentists are either exploiting the system, or simply dont understand what they can and can't charge for?

[nhsdental]

I'll try and keep this short.
As a nhs dentist I feel sorry for both patients and myself.  The goverment cannot afford (apparently) to fund nhs dentistry.  So we have a half baked system. An example: a new patient comes in requiring root canal work, crowns and some fillings (this is NOT rare).  I am meant to do all this for about £220 (of which patient pays £194).  Just think of the clinical time, material cost, lab costs let alone general business costs (nurses, receptionists, insurance etc).  It just cannot be done at anything other than a loss or very poor quality dentistry.  And in this age of everyone suing, something has to give.  Trust me we (dentists) hate this situation with a passion.
Thats why I am leaving the nhs to go private.  Its the ONLY way to provide patients with the care they need, and for me to run a business.
ps we earn average £60k year.  I think thats fair.  GPs earn £100k.
 

[john]

In addition to the fees charged to customers, don't NHS dentists get money from the NHS Trusts?

[me]

My 13yr old has just had 2 fillings and one extraction today ~ cost?  £180!!!!  I thought dental treatment for the under 18's was free or am I just misguided.  Should I query this?

[riptoff]

this treatment was not done under the NHS.
NHS treatment is free for under 18's, but is is up to you to verify whether it is NHS or private.

[Webmaster]

dunno! Anyone know the answer to this?

[Babs]

Visited my dentist this morning.  Been quoted £645 to fit a bridge to replace a badly fitting crown and fill in the next missing tooth.  I asked how much it would cost on the NHS and she said the same.  Is this true?  Also, would this be classed as non essential by the NHS and not covered anyway?  How do I know my dentist is telling the truth?

[riptoff]

this is not the NHS fee.
Suggest you contact your local Primary Care Trust to get info on NHS charges and what can be done.

[D. Towers]

I think everybody here should stop bitching about NHs Dentistry, what does everybody expect, nothing is free and im glad that our dental structure is not like our hospitals where we are in millions of pounds worth of debt because they run the NHS like a business and no business works if its outgoings are more than what it makes!. Dental work in this country is great, sure on the NHS you don't get the best fillings or crowns but at the same time its not the dentists fault, blame the NHS and the companies who make the fillings making them so expensive. How would you feel if you were a dentist, a patient wanted a white filling for a molar (a tooth that if i may remind everybody is NOT normally shown when you talk or smile). This white fillings costs the dentist £200 - (thats right ONE filling), the NHS will only pay about £140 for a filling, if you were the dentists would you want to pay the extra £60 out of your own pocket? No, of course you wouldn't, dentists do what they have to in order to give you the best dental care possible while still maintaining a profit (may i also remind everyone that all dental practices are privately owned, dentists are on contract to the NHS, the NHS does not own or pay for the dental surgery) As well as each dentists having to make an income, because again as you all may forget in your anger, dentists are still people with families and other commitments that you all also have (mortgages, credit card bills etc..)

Another thing is the new rules the NHS have drafted up about NHS dentistry in that basically the NHS will be paying less for each treatment option, its no wonder so many NHS dentists are turning private since they just cannot afford to hold up NHS patients. Again this is NOT the dentists fault, if you want to blame, or just rant and shout at somebody do it at Parliament and the NHS not the dentists.

Plus in return to one member who wrote on this forum about dentists cancellation or missed appointment fees, "How dare they charge me?" well how about this, somebody makes an appointment to see you, this appointment COSTS MONEY, if you cancel or miss the appointment of course YOU should be charged since your the one wasting money.

I think everybody in this country should be grateful for what you've all got, the NHS is one of the worst health structures in the world yet we get along and manage, dentists don't want to take your wallet - or your health on a rolllercoaster ride they just need to make back what they spend. Before you all start ranting about the NHS again; take a look at yourself and the structure of what your actually getting for your money but also what the dentist/doctor/optician etc.. has to spend, and stop complaining.

[riptoff]

True words D Towers. People need to realise that whether they need dental treatment depends on their lifesyle. If they eat a lousy diet and don't clean their teeth properly, they must expect to have dental work done>
Also they need tp prioritise their spending- how many of those who gripe about dental costs smoke and drink alcohol?

[Ella]

Your prices are wrong! As of 1st April 2008 the NHS have raised their charges.
They are as follows:
Examinations, scale and polishes and x-rays are £16.20
Fillings, root canal treatments and extractions are £44.60
Dentures and Crowns are £198.00. Braces if done on the NHS (the NHS have also restricted their guidelines even further) are also £198.00.

Children under the age of 18, children over 18-19 in full time education, persons on JSA, tax credit, pension credit or persons with HC2/3 certificates will have all NHS covered treatment free.

[xox beth xox]

For the first time in my life av decided to look at private dental costs and waw you've got to be kiddin me on   I'am a 21 year old young girl fresh faced but have horrible teeth and wish that i could have a great smile just for my confidence. I find myself covering my mouth everytime i smile   I work long hours and don't have kids and still live with my parents and there is no way i can afford this, so i feel for the people with kids and houses.

People can get fake boobs worth 5k on the nhs then why can't people get private work done free ??

[HiHo]

yes you can get fake boobs on the nhs but only under exceptional circumstances and is shown to effect your pyschology.

I would imagine the same rules apply for cosmetic dentistry. Just guesswork though

[HiHo]

re: prices

thank you. will update the page accordingly

[asterix]

I just took my son to the dentist and I was charged for the "exam" 2 times in one month.
How lame is that?
Anna

assuming this is nhs we are talking about.

1. how old is your son? must be over 18 or would not pay nhs fees.
2. why is your son going for checkup twice in a 2 month period?

 it could be that your son was initially or at subsequent appointment treated as an unregistered emergency; this is the only way you would get charged twice in 2 month period if both appointments were fully NHS.