Dentist Charges

[naomi24]

My husband has just been for a regular check up and a visit to the hygienist and the receptionist asked him to fill in an NHS form - but he’s a private patient. It’s not happened before so is there some new ruling - or could they possibly be on the fiddle?

[Old_Geezer]

Does the dentist do both private and NHS ? Could be he only charges NHS rates when the NHS cover the work done, and private rates if you want something better/different.

[Ryzen]

Did he pay private or NHS rates for the work?

[naomi24]

Yes, they do both, OG. We’re wondering if they’re charging the patient for private work and charging it to the NHS too.

[naomi24]

He’s a private patient. No NHS work.

[Old_Geezer]

It just occurs to me that your husband may have assumed the work done, whatever it was, was charged privately, but maybe it was NHS rates he paid ?

[naomi24]

I don’t think so. He questioned it. The receptionist just said it was ‘necessary’. He was in a rush so didn’t hang about to argue - but he came home rather puzzled.

[Geoffrey13]

Was it not the health form (such as the one which I have to fill in when getting private treatment (details of drugs and illness)).

This goes on the practice's records in order that inappropriate drugs are not administered.

[naomi24]

Not that Geoffrey.

[gulliver1]

18.32 "He questioned it" ....But the answer was removed. lol

[gulliver1]

Sorry Naomi but I just could not resist that one .

[Peter Pedant]

I just pay as it is such a drag finding a private dentist in an emergency.

er - charging as NHS and the private as a top up
or new receptionist who didnt know her job
or form was for something else.

check up NHS is £25 - I am not sure if they get that

when I go to the dentist and the receptionist tells me about a filling or crown
she picks up the phone and says something like
" yeah foo, your card for free farzand didnt go froo. Dja wanna pay £500 now up front and the rest when you come in , yeah?"

[Geoffrey13]

I went along to my dentist this morning and booked a visit. I was given the health form and as you said Naomi it's not an NHS one.

I await my appointment with bated breath to see if an NHS from is forthcoming.

The receptionist was very kind even though this is my first visit since lockdown (I gather some de-register their patients when such a long absence occurs).

[naomi24]

It was odd, Geoffrey. Could have been that the receptionist was new and didn't understand I suppose. We'll see what happens next time one of us goes.

Gulliver, behave.

[david small]

The dentist I phoned wanted £35 immediately to pre book an assessment. Then £85 for a very simple extraction, none molar.

[Old_Geezer]

Wow, as cheap as that eh. Mine charges more for fillings, caps, inlays... He is keen on trying to save teeth though, so suits me.