Should I be paying these dental charges?

[deejay1001]

Hi

Hoping one or more of the gurus on here can answer this for me.

I'm 64 years of age and live in Wales.

 

Since having cancer treatment I have been having dental treatment to remove plaque from my teeth.

 

Initially this was done at a hospital dental department and there was no charge for treatments,

 

due to a shortage of hygienists the hospital passed me on to my NHS dental practice initially for 2 monthly visits which have quickly been reduced to 4 monthly simply because I'm managing to do a reasonable job of keeping the plaque down myself.

 

Since going to the NHS practice the routine has been a visit for a checkup then a second visit to see the hygienist

 

. I have never spent more than 5 minutes (timed) with the hygienist or the dentist.

 

From my first treatment onwards I have been charged £43 each time.

 

I queried this and was told it was because I have deep pockets between teeth and gums but I have found no mention on the NHS Wales site that this is a treatment that does not qualify as treatment included in the fee for a check up which does include a scale and polish and which I do not have to pay due to my age.

 

Should I be paying for these treatments.

[citizenB]

Perhaps have a word with the hospital where you were first having the treatment done. Ask if this is correct that you are being charged.

[renegadeimp]

If it's done on the nhs, then there's a max amount they can charge in total. Doesn't matter what you have done, it can't exceed that amount. Even if you have to go back multiple times

[Nystagmite]

Do you receive pension credit, income based ESA, income support or income based JSA?

[mikeymack2002]

A hygienist visit is often classed as cosmetic and chargeable in most practices at about £47-50 for that treatment.

[Old Cogger]

Local Services

Dentists - Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

How do I know if I am registered with a dentist?

Since 1st April 2006 patients are no longer required to be registered with a particular dentist. Patients can continue to see their usual dentist, who can choose to maintain a list of regular patients to whom they provide regular or ongoing treatment

 

Can I register for NHS or private care?

At the outset your dentist will agree with you whether your treatment will be under the NHS, or private, or a mixture of both. If you are not sure at any time, do not hesitate to ask your dentist or the practice receptionist.

 

Will I have to pay for treatment?

If you fall into any of these categories when a course of treatment starts you will not need to pay for your NHS dental treatment:

 

You are under 18, or are a full-time student under 19.

You are expecting a baby, or you have had a baby in the last 12 months.

You are named on a Tax Credit NHS Exemption Certificate.

You are named on an NHS HC2 certificate for full help with health costs.

Or, you get or are included in an award of someone getting:

 

Income Support,

Universal Credit (during the period April 2013 - March 2014),

Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (contribution based JSA does not entitle you to help with health costs),

Income-related Employment & Support Allowance (contribution based ESA does not entitle you to help with health costs), or

Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, (Pension Credit savings credit on its own does not entitle you to help with health costs).

Other benefits such as Incapacity benefit, Personal Independence Payment, Armed Forces Independence Payment or Disability Living Allowance don't entitle you to help with health costs because they are not income related.

 

Dental examinations are free in Wales if:

 

You are under 25 years of age or

You are aged 60 or over.

Any subsequent treatment as a result of the free examination carries the appropriate charge.

 

Further information on health costs can be found in the booklet HC11W NHS Charges and The Low Income Scheme and on the help with health costs website (you can find information on 'How to claim a refund for health costs' by clicking here). Information on prescription charges in Wales is available on our Frequently asked questions about pharmacy services page.

 

What if I am not entitled to free treatment?

Before treatment begins, your dentist will discuss the procedures that are required and the probable cost, based on the new dental charging system. Your dentist must give you a written treatment plan and confirmation of the cost of the treatment if:

 

You ask for one at any time

You are seeing that dentist for the first time

You are considering having all or part of your treatment carried out privately

You are having a relatively long or complicated course of treatment

When you pay for your treatment you will be given a receipt. Your dentist will discuss methods of payment with you. The dentist is entitled to ask you to pay before you receive your treatment.

 

Since 1 April 2006, you will not have been charged for missed appointments – but if you continue to miss appointments they may decide not to offer you treatment in the future. A dentist may also terminate a course of treatment if the patient is violent or refuses to pay any charge due.

 

How much does NHS dental treatment cost?

Since 1st April 2006 NHS dental treatment costs have been organised under a simplified system which groups treatments under one of three price bands. The following list, which applies to Wales from 1st April 2015, includes examples of how current price bands relate to some common dental treatments, procedures and services;

[honeybee13]

Hello Old Cogger.

 

Would you mind providing a link for that useful information please?

 

HB

[Old Cogger]

http://www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk/localservices/dentistfaq/

[honeybee13]

Thank you kindly.

 

HB