check up and scale and polish

[jayye]

Last time I saw my dentist I was charged the £16 something for a check up.  I was told I needed a scale and polish and to make another appt for this.  So when I came back for this at a later date (but it was within 2 months of the check up) I was charged the £16 something again.  Was I ripped off, should I have only paid 1 lot of charges?

[HiHo]

Hi Jayye

In all the dentists I've been to it would have been done at the same appointment and so in the same treatment plan. It takes 5 mins for a quick scale and polish at my dentist - and I'm happy with that.
I think the rules are a bit too open to interpretation in that to be included in the same price it has to be on the same treatment plan. Did you ask why it wasn't included in the first price?

from the NHS website about band 1

and a scale and polish if needed

Now this could be read that if the dentists clinical opinion is you don't need a scale and polish then its a cosmetic treatment and as such has to be done privately if you want it. That should have been made clear though.

If it was done under the NHS then its in that grey area I'm afraid. No harm in 'politely' querying exactly why you were charged twice is there?

Any dentists or anyone else have any opinions on the reading of the guidelines about check-ups and scale and polish?

Jon

[epson]

Hi.
you should look up the nhs website for prices .than ask your dentist to give a full reason why you were  charged again.because if you did not need it on your first course of treatment than there is no CLINICAL REASON to have it 2 mths later without re-examination and full reasoning behind any significant change in your clinical status .
Of course you have not explained why you had to wait so long for scaling and whther it was your fault to delay.
If you are not happy you can always look up another nhs dentist. There are many good ones out there.
Ask your friends and neighbours etc.
 Epson