NHS Dental Scam?

Englander91

Englander91

Englander91

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25 Sep 2016
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Ok, so I'd like to know if anyone has any experience with dental charges on the NHS vs private dental charges because I think my grandad has just been swindled out of ~£450. I'm sure there are some dentists amongst our ranks who understand the system better than myself.

Around Christmas time, my grandad's tooth fell out, which prompted a trip to his NHS dentist to get a crown to replace it. Whilst drilling the root out, dentist #1 discovered that it was "calcified" and couldn't drill it out. My grandad was therefore referred to their partner practice down the road where they could do the procedure - he asked the reception before the treatment what it would cost and the receptionist reckoned "£19 or so". Dentist #2 managed to carry out the drilling and left him with a stump upon which dentist #1 can put the crown on.

Trouble is, dentist #2 charged ~£450 for the treatment - separate to what dentist #1 will charge (band 3 NHS dental treatment = £233.70). It sounds like he's been incorrectly referred to dentist #2 and inadvertently carried out part of his treatment privately. It is my understanding that the entire treatment of one problem is covered by one payment to an NHS dentist i.e. the £233.70. I believe he should have been referred to the hospital as an NHS patient for any parts of the treatment that could not be carried out by dentist #1, and he categorically states that dentist #1 made it clear that the only option was to be referred to dentist #2 down the road.

Thoughts?
 
I had something similar for the first time last year (or year before) and I've had lots of crowns.
the Dentist said my canals were too small and she wasn't an expert in small canals but could refer me to experts but she did say it would cost £700 :eek:
I opted for her to do her best and so far it's been OK but still cost £230.
 
Wasn't in the room so I can't comment directly, but I can certainly say whenever I refer anyone anywhere, I make certain they know if they are being referred for NHS or private treatment.
450 for a private specialist doing a root filling seems reasonable.
I know here there is no hospital option for such treatment, but in areas of England there probably is, so again I cannot comment in relation to if that option is available or not.

Extraction would be the alternative treatment, if not root filling a badly damaged tooth.
 
SexyGreyFox said:
I had something similar for the first time last year (or year before) and I've had lots of crowns.
the Dentist said my canals were too small and she wasn't an expert in small canals but could refer me to experts but she did say it would cost £700 :eek:
I opted for her to do her best and so far it's been OK but still cost £230.
Click to expand...

So by the sounds of it, you were given a choice of going private or remaining NHS which sounds fair enough.

Part of the problem in the case that I'm describing is that there was no explanation that the work was being done privately, and no transparency in how much it was going to cost until after it had been done. A bit of Googling reveals that this is widespread problem.

@HK, for reference, he's based in SW London, not far down the road the major London teaching hospitals.
 
I'd suggest a polite letter to the original practice asking for clarification of what happened.
See what they have to say.
I find it strange they didn't just tell him it would be private and cost in the region of x.
His choice afterall.
 
Hikari Kisugi said:
I'd suggest a polite letter to the original practice asking for clarification of what happened.
See what they have to say.
I find it strange they didn't just tell him it would be private and cost in the region of x.
His choice afterall.
Click to expand...

Because ££, at a guess. In terms of conflict of interest, his dental surgery is one of three sister practices and, peculiarly enough, he was referred straight to the closest one.

I think a letter to the practice is called for. What's the next level up in terms of dealing with such a dispute?
 
Hikari Kisugi said:
I'd suggest a polite letter to the original practice asking for clarification of what happened.
See what they have to say.
I find it strange they didn't just tell him it would be private and cost in the region of x.
His choice afterall.
Click to expand...

Yeah sounds like a great idea, see what comes from the letter and go from that.

Luke said:
If a letter fails to reassure you then the next step could be to complain via the GDC: https://www.gdc-uk.org/
Click to expand...

Awesome plan ;)
 
Good advice so far chaps. I'm having quite a good time looking into this deeper. By not making clear NHS vs private treatment, it is my belief that they are in direct contravention of sections 1.7.2, 1.7.3, 2.3.7 and 2.3.8 in the "Standards for the Dental Team" published by the GDC and effective from 30th September 2013.
 
My dentist refereed me to another Dentist as he wasn't up to speed on abscess's in root canal - I wasn't sure if it was NHS or private as it was a smart dental practice -- seems they do NHS jobs for NHS - I did ask before I went in - all covered on my dentist for £54
 
Quote/I hate the dentist / unquote (where'd that quote button go?)

I once played in a (very short lived) band called The Dentists.

1978. London. A bunch of Corsicans (led by a guy called Henry Padovani)

Why? Because. Everybody hates the dentist.

Still cringing at that.
 
Had this a few times - basically if its anything more than a filling you get the choice of the NHS botch job on the cheap or to be referred to a private and have the job done properly. Both times for me when it hasnt been a filling or extraction I've paid to have work done privately and those fixes have been good for over 10 years with no issues. You get what you pay for in the end and health isnt something you should skimp on if you have a choice (and obviously if you can afford it)
 
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