NHS AND PRIVATE DENTAL HEALTH CARE: KNOW YOUR CONSUMER What NHS dental treatment are you entitled to? How much will it cost? How do you find a dentist near you? Are you entitled to free treatment? What happens when things don t go to plan?
BRUSHING UP ON YOUR While dental treatment in the UK is among the best in the world, going to the dentist can be daunting. And for more reasons than just having treatment. The good news is that you have specific rights and can expect certain levels of service from your dentist. If you have an NHS dentist you are entitled to all the treatment that you need to get your mouth, teeth and gums as healthy and pain free as possible. You should also receive advice on things like proper brushing and flossing, so you can play your part in keeping your mouth healthy. If your NHS dentist says you need a particular type of treatment, you should not be required to pay for it privately. Private options may be discussed, such as cosmetic alternatives or specialist treatments like dental implants, it s your choice whether you take them. 35 An appointment with your dentist When your dentist says you need treatment, here s what you can expect to happen: You should be given a written treatment plan which includes the cost of treatment. In Scotland dentists aren t required to provide written treatment plans, but you can still ask for one. Even if your treatment involves a number of visits, you will only pay one charge for each complete course of NHS treatment, unless you ve had to make an emergency visit to the dentist first. In Scotland emergency treatment is included in the one charge. If your NHS treatment fails within 12 months, your dentist should repair or redo most treatment free of charge (unless you were advised the treatment was unlikely to be long-term). How much will you pay? Dental treatment is one of the few NHS services that most people have to pay for, but charges are fixed: Band 1 course of treatment In England : 17.50 This covers an examination, diagnosis (including X-rays), advice on how to prevent future problems, a scale and polish if needed, and application of fluoride varnish or fissure sealant. Band 2 course of treatment In England : 48 This covers everything listed in Band 1 above, plus any further treatment such as fillings, root canal work or removal of teeth. Band 3 course of treatment In England: 209 This covers everything listed in Bands 1 and 2 above, plus crowns, dentures and bridges. Scotland In Scotland these charge bands don t apply. Instead NHS patients pay 80 per cent of their treatment, up to a maximum of 384. You can find examples of costs on the NHS Inform website, www.nhsinform.co.uk Each dental practice is responsible for providing clear, easily available information on their treatment costs. Who is entitled to free dental care? Not everyone has to pay for dental treatment. You can find out who may qualify for help with dental charges at the websites listed on the back page. What are your rights if you go to a private dentist? If you have private dental treatment, ask what guarantees your dentist provides. In addition to any rights you may have under their guarantee, you also have rights under the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982.
FIND OUT MORE You can find out more information about your rights and entitlements as an NHS dental patient at the following websites, including how to make a complaint about a dentist or treatment. You can also search for a dentist near you that s accepting NHS patients by typing in your postcode. www.nhs.uk Call 0800 389 3158 to request a different format of this publication. Published by the Office of Fair Trading Product code XXXX Edition XX/XX Crown copyright 2012 www.oft.gov.uk
NHS AND PRIVATE DENTAL HEALTH CARE: KNOW YOUR CONSUMER What NHS dental treatment are you entitled to? How much will it cost? How do you find a dentist near you? Are you entitled to free treatment? What happens when things don t go to plan?
FIND OUT MORE You can find out more information about your rights and entitlements as an NHS dental patient at the following websites, including how to make a complaint about a dentist or treatment. You can also search for a dentist near you that s accepting NHS patients by typing in your postcode. www.nhs.uk Call 0800 389 3158 to request a different format of this publication. Published by the Office of Fair Trading Product code XXXX Edition XX/XX Crown copyright 2012 www.oft.gov.uk