Private Dentist? refuse treatment for 7 year old?

[submissiveguy]

Could someone please advice me what to do

My (6) year old son was having a very bad tooth pain last night, so today morning my wife took him to his dentist who is private, and asked if its possible if he could have an emergency appointment, the receptionist was aggressive and rude, and suggested that if she pays for his treatment then he could get seen today, if not then it would be in 2 weeks time appointment?

I was parked outside and my wife and son come to the car and told me this, so i went in and asked how could they say that, receptionist said they are a private dentist and they could refuse to see him, i was gob smacked what i was hearing, as i do know children's treatments free, but she was not interested at all, now i have been in contact with NHS who are trying to get my boy an appointment at some other dentist place,

is their anything i could do about this??

[Agathachristie]

Although I understand your situation too well (have been let down by private dentist as well but another story). You can not expect to go private and pay nothing. Although it is a dental emergency, this is not life threatening and that private dentist has no duty of care towards you and no obligation to treat for free as the private dentist has no contract with the NHS system.
You either need to pay or wait for NHS dentist appt. As hard as this sound.

[MrShed]

What I dont understand is why you expected to go to a private dentist and not pay? I feel like I'm missing something...

[Agathachristie]

Well I can understand the emergency situation of somebody. Having pain and then want quick and good treatment. But that is not working in the UK.

[rosysparkle]

Children's dental treatment is free with NHS dentists. Not at private dentists.

Hope your little one is OK now.

[miziwizzi]

Do you mean your dentist is private but treats your son on the NHS normally but on this occasion refused to see him quickly unless you paid for it?

If so I think thats pretty grim of them.

[submissiveguy]

Originally Posted by MrShed

What I dont understand is why you expected to go to a private dentist and not pay? I feel like I'm missing something...

My sons Dentist is Private who use to treat him on NHS but this time round he refused to treat him, because hes busy, and if we paid him money then he would see him?, before he use to him him on NHS? dose that make sense?

so that was my argument, and i refused to pay him, why should i pay him when NHS pay him for my child,

so to cut the long story short i took my son to another dentist and yes i paid, the fee and had him treated

i have submitted an online complain to Dental Complaints

NHS even said, they have 24 hrs to give him an appointment he is registered with them, and i was willing to wait for an appointment, but the dentist was not interested at all he wanted us to pay cash and have him seen, and i do not agree with that, sorry if i sound bad, but its principals

[submissiveguy]

Originally Posted by miziwizzi

Do you mean your dentist is private but treats your son on the NHS normally but on this occasion refused to see him quickly unless you paid for it?

If so I think thats pretty grim of them.

Yes thats what he wanted me to him to see my son, and that is wrong,

[MrShed]

Right - I understand now.

Sorry I thought it was a private ONLY dentist.

If he is private and NHS, that is wrong IMO.

Pleased it is sorted anyway - that is obviously the important thing.

[miziwizzi]

Originally Posted by submissiveguy

Yes thats what he wanted me to him to see my son, and that is wrong,

Thought that was the case, greedy buggers dentists are getting.

I had a great private dentist who did my kids NHS then he started charging to see them, people cant afford it, we are going to see very bad teeth in young adults due to all this.

glad your little ones sorted.

[The Chez]

A lot of dentists do both, and if you took him in as an NHS patient, he should have been treated as one. It was wrong of them to refuse him in this case.

[submissiveguy]

Thank you everyone for the help and support,

once i find the out come of the complain i will update you guys

Thanks you all

[reckyroo]

My 9 year old son was terrified of our usual (NHS) dentist. She was curt, rude and quite frightening and when he was sick before his check-up appointment, I knew I had to take action. I phoned round many dentists who would only take him on as a patient IF i enrolled as a private patient and as I was registered on the NHS and couldn't afford private treatment, I was stuck. UNTIL i called a local dentist (private and very flash with all the mod cons) who agred to see my son without any charge and without me having to join his private practice. Within 2 days, my son had had various treatments (all mod-con and pain free) and he was so proud of his achievements showed everyone his teeth!! This dentist now has a patient for life and although we will have to pay for his treatment when he is older, the staff are wonderful with my son. I would look for another dentist who isn't in it just for the money - I found one - and good luck.