Dental Nhs Charges.

[SparklyKid]

Routine check up yesterday, £22.70 Band 1.

Dentist said I need to make an appointment with the hygienist, £32.90.

I said there is no need as I clean teeth thoroughly, dental floss and interdental sticks.

They were somewhat reluctant to cancel but "took me off the program"

They referred to NHS charges which might go up next year and if I changed my mind I could pay more for the hygienist.

Looking at the NHS website for dental charges ,included in Band 1 @£22.70 is "a scale and polish (if clinically necessary)

I think this is a subtle way of putting money in the pocket of the hygienist unnecessarily.

There is no hygienist charge of £39.20 anywhere on the NHS website.

It seems rather naughty to expect me to pay for something which is covered in Band 1.

[Patsy33]

We were told we need only see our Dentist once a year now, but would need to see Hygenist every 6 months. Looks like a crafty move...

[SparklyKid]

I did ask for yearly check ups, no idea why every six months. It is many years since I needed any treatment.

I might pop in and ask why it is not done under band 1. My previous dentist always did a scale and polish in with the check up.

[Patsy33]

As did ours..

[jno]

I don't know what hygienists do exactly, not having eyes in my mouth, but it's always seemed a lot more detailed than just a scale and polish.

[SparklyKid]

Just a ten minute clean up which should be within the "22.70 charge, band 1.

[jno]

my sessions with the hygienist are more like 20-30 minutes. And that's despite me brushing my teeth almost every day.

[Rosie29]

Agree with jno - a session with a hygienist usually takes 30mins and might save you visits to the dentist in the future. Much more than a scale and polish. Prevention better than cure S K !

[wolf63]

Sparkles - you still have your own teeth? :-)

My boy cat, Frankie, got four teeth out last summer and it cost me £400. In comparison, the dentist for humans isn't so expensive.

[webbo3]

where abouts do you live sparklykid?

[SparklyKid]

Just outside Blackpool. 74 years old , all my own teeth, well looked after.

[douglas9401]

Respect, smiler. :-)

[webbo3]

Ah ok, we have a plan in the dental hospital in Bristol to be treated by the dental students for nothing, they do crowns, bridges, fillings, and dentures but you are too far away