Rules about dental charges?

[eMac]

Does anyone know what the rules are about charges at dentists when you are an NHS patient? I feel like my dental surgery is just making up the rules. I am having an extraction as my tooth has broken and they’ve just told me it will cost £150! I should add I wasn’t told this at all when the first appointment was made, which they have now changed

[ianr]

They seem to be seeking not to treat this as an NHS treatment. You should ask them why not. I assume they've not given you the standard NHS treatment plan form?

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/dental-costs/understanding-nhs-dental-charges/

[eMac]

No they haven’t given me any forms. I also didn’t feel at all convinced when I asked why they are charging me. It feels really wrong that they can just make up their own mind about what can be done on NHS and what is supposedly too complicated!

[ianr]

They are not free to decide NHS terms. They are free to decide their charges for private treatment. From what you say that's what they appear to be doing. Why they want to do so in your case -- maybe perhaps a mistaken presumption, maybe non-availability of NHS treatment if wanted at very short notice, maybe who knows what -- is, I think, for you to find out.

[hammerman]

Hope you get your tooth sorted but just to say finding an NHS dentist in this day and age unless you've been a patient for years is very rare. I would pay the £150 for an NHS dentist and just thank your lucky stars. Friends who have moved out of London are finding it very hard to find a dentist with spaces and are having to travel miles.

On a different note, my elderly cat is having tooth problems and I know I'm going to have to pay a fortune just to have some of her teeth removed (probably over a thousand quid).

[Sue]

The NHS charge for tooth extraction is £62.50

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/dental-costs/how-much-will-i-pay-for-nhs-dental-treatment/

The dentist near the Post Office on Lordship Lane will take NHS patients.