What Does A Nhs Dental Check-Up Cost?

[Jennykenny]

Just been charged £46.00 for a four minute NHS check-up. Really pleased that I don't have any problems but is that really the normal standing charge?
Have had endless procedures over the last two years for two implants and two bridges so 'got used' to paying huge amounts, so didn't really think about it till I got home.
Surely this amount is not normal?

[EDDIE51]

Just being on benefits does not qualify you for free NHS dental treatment. Look at Baldrics link posted at 20.47 , it has all the information. It is £18.80 for a check up ,clean and polish that is the full HNS price.
JennyKenny if you have had implants and bridges over the last two years you are almost certainly registered and being charged as a private patient.It is virtually impossible to get that treatment on the NHS.
To get totally free treatment you need to be on pension credit or one of the others listed on the link, just being a pensioner is not sufficient either , unless your income is low enough to get pension credit.

[Baldric]

I can't criticise that, I get free 'scripts as well.

[Baldric]

@ 64 ^^^

[bobbie22]

I paid £18 odd in December last year

[EDDIE51]

Yes Scots and Welsh patients get a better cheaper deal, all paid for courtesy of the English taxpayers !

[maggiebee]

Happy New Year Eddie, lang may yer lum reek (wi' ither fowks coal)

[EDDIE51]

Maggie I have many relatives in the File /Perth area of Scotland, go there at least twice a year. Next time I may try registering with a dentist!

[EDDIE51]

Fife not file , sorry.

[Jennykenny]

Many thanks to all. Apologies in delay in acknowledging answers, problems at this end.
I knew I was paying privately for the bridges and implants, cost many, many thousands, but I originally registered as NHS when I joined the practice five years ago, and should still be on that footing.
I have to pay £50+ for the hygienist so that is obviously private, but my six months check up should be NHS rates. Will phone them on Monday. Thanks again everyone.

[EDDIE51]

You have to actually state that you wish to be treated on the HNS when you make an appointment. Each cycle of treatment is a new separate contract you can be NHS for one treatment then private for the next one. Dentists are out to make money, they will not offer you NHS treatment unless you specifically ask for it and sign the NHS treatment form at the start of each cycle of treatment.
Going to a dentist is not like going to a hospital or doctors surgery. Dentists are self employed contractors they are not part of the NHS even though some of them offer treatment at NHS rates. When you sign up for a course of treatment with a dentist it is a contract between you and the dentist not between you and the NHS.

[Jennykenny]

Thank you Eddie. That is a real eye-opener. I had no idea.
They just seem to have snuck that in. And the receptionist said nothing. I foolishly thought we were 'friends'.

[EDDIE51]

Yes , few people realise that dentists are private business men / women who simply get some of their income from treating NHS patients.It is exactly the same as going to a private doctor.