Dental treatment - pricing structure for NHS

[Angelina]

I know there are three tiers for treatments, however I'm not sure how it works. Is it price per tooth? So if you need one band 3 treatment on two teeth it's ?price x2 - or is it the one price for both teeth.

And do some dentists refuse to do certain treatments on NHS when they could, so you have to pay for them to do it privately? My friend has had a treatment privately which her dentist told her she couldn't do on NHS but is actually on their price list.

Also, does anyone know if there is a cap for all treatment so you have a maximum?

[Robert Poste's Child]

You should be able to get the answers here:

http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1781.aspx?CategoryID=74

So far I've only paid extra when I wanted a white filling that's not visible from the front (those are included in the price bands).

[Angelina]

thanks - it does go someway but not clear if the prices are per tooth or not.

[ianr]

This page makes it clearer: http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSservices/dentists/Pages/nhs-dental-charges.aspx

"You will not be charged for individual items within an NHS course of treatment. Depending on what you need to have done, you should only ever be asked to pay one charge for each completed course of treatment, even if you need to visit your dentist more than once to finish it."

Note too where it goes on to say that even further courses of treatment within two months are lumped in with the previous one as far as charges go.

There are clearly some bargains to be had. You could in theory have a dozen fillings one day, and a dozen extractions a few weeks later, all for a single Band 2 charge.

[Robert Poste's Child]

Amused by your nose for a bargain, ianr.

[Angelina]

Ianr - that's perfect.

Thank you both :-)

[sjw]

I found it really annoying to have to pay for treatment up front --before receiving any treatment!

Checked with BDS and a dentist is entitled to do this. What if I die before receiving treatment I asked -- " you can claim a refund" I was told!!!!

Have changed dentist