Dentist charges

[glumsmile]

I have just been to a new dentist having registered as an NHS patient and have been told I have advanced peridontal disease and also need two extractions urgently. I have been told the cost of treatment will be £500 for a antibiotic course and £150 for the extractions but these are are not available on the NHS. I am confused as I thought the maximum cost to me for NHS treatment was £198. Whilst I sympathise with dentists in the NHS as I understand they are often working at a loss can a dentist explain to me how urgent treatment is costing me this much and is not covered by the NHS.

[asterix]

you are being treated privately at that cost. you are perfectly correct that nhs should cost max £198 in england. the dentist may feel that in your case private treatment is better option for you, but if he/she is nhs then they should probably offer you an nhs option for treatment as well.

[stuartm]

Treatment for periodontal disease on the NHS is fairly rudimentary, but it should still be offered to you if your dentist is NHS.

It's likely that the treatment you have been offered is more advanced, and has a better prognosis.

Unfortunately, a dentist is not allowed to mix NHS and Private treatment, so if the treatment for the gum disease is going to be private then he isn't allowed to do the extractions on the NHS.

Stuart

I have just been to a new dentist having registered as an NHS patient and have been told I have advanced peridontal disease and also need two extractions urgently. I have been told the cost of treatment will be £500 for a antibiotic course and £150 for the extractions but these are are not available on the NHS. I am confused as I thought the maximum cost to me for NHS treatment was £198. Whilst I sympathise with dentists in the NHS as I understand they are often working at a loss can a dentist explain to me how urgent treatment is costing me this much and is not covered by the NHS.

[asterix]

Treatment for periodontal disease on the NHS is fairly rudimentary, but it should still be offered to you if your dentist is NHS.

It's likely that the treatment you have been offered is more advanced, and has a better prognosis.

Unfortunately, a dentist is not allowed to mix NHS and Private treatment, so if the treatment for the gum disease is going to be private then he isn't allowed to do the extractions on the NHS.

Stuart

I have just been to a new dentist having registered as an NHS patient and have been told I have advanced peridontal disease and also need two extractions urgently. I have been told the cost of treatment will be £500 for a antibiotic course and £150 for the extractions but these are are not available on the NHS. I am confused as I thought the maximum cost to me for NHS treatment was £198. Whilst I sympathise with dentists in the NHS as I understand they are often working at a loss can a dentist explain to me how urgent treatment is costing me this much and is not covered by the NHS.

not quite correct on this one stuart, sorry!
yes, the dentist may well believe private treatment is the way to go with perio (and probably right!) but mixing NHS and private is allowed under new contract. 'Old' contract did not allow mixing private and nhs on same tooth.
500 sounds a bit pricey A/B treatment alone, but you would have to let us know exactly what is being offered for this price.

If you are having basic nhs treatment (no private options)including extractions, cleaning above/below gums and NHS approved oral antibiotics (pills, not periostat/gels under the gums or anything clever) then it should be £39 in wales, £43.60 in england

[Molly]

Hi
I've just paid £198 for new dentures this now adds up to over £1,200 for dentures and appointments in the last 18 months.

£198.00 for bottom set
£198.00 for 1st top set  lasted less than 6 months
£420.00 for 2nd top set lasted 8 months (returned 6 times in the first 6 weeks to complain) because of the poor quality of first set i did ask for the best i could afford, eveytime i returned to ask for them to adjust fitting or change the dentures i was told to use more adhesive, and not eat bread as the goo loosens the dentures!

£198.00 TODAY for top set AGAIN ! and guess what ! they are just as loose as the last set, my dentist just told me to use adhesive and try to choose food which won't cause me problems.Having dentures at any age is horrific and i am so upset that apart from the personnal effect this has had on me, i'm just not sure what i should exspect from my NHS Dentist.
So please could somebody tell me if these charges are correct and do i have the right to expect dentures to fit without falling out when i eat, and thats with adhesive being used.

Thanks
Molly

[shepzz]

Hi have just been offered a NHS practise dentist and wonder if anybody knows what the price comparison is for dentures, private to NHS I do have some natural teeth but the main treatment coming up will be replacement dentures.  I live in Scotland, I do not know if there is any difference in UK regions.  My current private dentist is quoting around £600 for I believe top only.

Any ideas?

Shepzz

[HiHo]

Hi Shepzz

Dentures on the NHS should cost £198 whether they are a partial or full set.

Hope that helps

Jon

[Matt]

No idea on comparisons, as I'm about to pay £950 for ONE tooth root canal work and a crown/cap. Not happy as little I can do and needs doing as now with abscess which is being treated too. Perhaps dental cover of £20 a month is worth it after all....

[gym]

I have just been to a new dentist having registered as an NHS patient and have been told I have advanced peridontal disease and also need two extractions urgently. I have been told the cost of treatment will be £500 for a antibiotic course and £150 for the extractions but these are are not available on the NHS. I am confused as I thought the maximum cost to me for NHS treatment was £198. Whilst I sympathise with dentists in the NHS as I understand they are often working at a loss can a dentist explain to me how urgent treatment is costing me this much and is not covered by the NHS.

As regards to: "Whilst you sympathise with dentists", I feel you are being exceptionally generous, if I Was making "a loss" on 60-70k a year i'd be laughing up my sleeves!
The reason the nhs dentist service is in such a state is because dentists have killed the "Golden Goose!" and can no longer rip off the nhs service by filling our mouthes with endless fillings we didn't need! WE are now having to pay for that by being charged unfair and very differing prices!

[Blunt]

Dentists are not exempt from the sale of goods and services act you should check with trading standards you may have a case.

Hi
I've just paid £198 for new dentures this now adds up to over £1,200 for dentures and appointments in the last 18 months.

£198.00 for bottom set
£198.00 for 1st top set  lasted less than 6 months
£420.00 for 2nd top set lasted 8 months (returned 6 times in the first 6 weeks to complain) because of the poor quality of first set i did ask for the best i could afford, eveytime i returned to ask for them to adjust fitting or change the dentures i was told to use more adhesive, and not eat bread as the goo loosens the dentures!

£198.00 TODAY for top set AGAIN ! and guess what ! they are just as loose as the last set, my dentist just told me to use adhesive and try to choose food which won't cause me problems.Having dentures at any age is horrific and i am so upset that apart from the personnal effect this has had on me, i'm just not sure what i should exspect from my NHS Dentist.
So please could somebody tell me if these charges are correct and do i have the right to expect dentures to fit without falling out when i eat, and thats with adhesive being used.
Thanks
Molly

De

[Blunt]

I agree with Gym. Dentist should get there act together and start treating instead of flecceing. We all need to make a profit but there are better ways of going about it.
A private fee tarraiff up on the wall would help at least then you would know in advance what you are likely to be charged. At the moment it feels like they pluck the figure out of the air depending on which way the winds blowing.

I have just been to a new dentist having registered as an NHS patient and have been told I have advanced peridontal disease and also need two extractions urgently. I have been told the cost of treatment will be £500 for a antibiotic course and £150 for the extractions but these are are not available on the NHS. I am confused as I thought the maximum cost to me for NHS treatment was £198. Whilst I sympathise with dentists in the NHS as I understand they are often working at a loss can a dentist explain to me how urgent treatment is costing me this much and is not covered by the NHS.

As regards to: "Whilst you sympathise with dentists", I feel you are being exceptionally generous, if I Was making "a loss" on 60-70k a year i'd be laughing up my sleeves!
The reason the nhs dentist service is in such a state is because dentists have killed the "Golden Goose!" and can no longer rip off the nhs service by filling our mouthes with endless fillings we didn't need! WE are now having to pay for that by being charged unfair and very differing prices!

[bertiesmile19]

Molly, do yourself a favour and get a second opinion

[mrs l]

i've been a patient at the same nhs dentist for about 10 years, both my husband & myself work.
i had 3 bottom teeth taken out over 5 years ago. Yesterday for a routine check up i was told i needed titanium inplants at £3k each or my top teeth would drop down & in time fall out! i was also quoted £1250 for a bridge as an alternative to the one missing tooth.

this was the 1st time i have been told this & its also the 1st time ive seen this dentist at my practice. To me this was really shattering news, i felt quite tearful, he was actually staring out the window as he dropped the bombshell. i was a bit suspicious as he never spoke about my son who is 5 & an ex thumb sucker needing a brace which has always been mentioned in the past. my husband seems to think he is trying it on as he wasnt making eye contact & not bothered with my son as his treatment is free but maybe make a bit out of me.

any thoughts?

[Webmaster]

As with all things that you find expensive you seek a second opinion!