Thread: dentistry
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Stuart Noble Stuart Noble is offline
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On 13/06/2015 12:40, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
stuart noble wrote:
Well OT of course but anyone got any opinions on the muddle known as NHS
dentistry? Band 3 (£222.50) is supposed to cover crowns and bridges but
it seems dentists are unable, or unwilling, to provide that service.
They say it only covers procedures where there is a "clinical need" but
that seems like a hell of a grey area. I'd say a missing front tooth
should not be classed as cosmetic, but what do I know?
TIA for any input before I'm finally forced to go private?


The snag is that most dentists use independant labs to have the actual
crowns made. And they set the price they charge for the work. Which is
usually far higher than the NHS will pay. So the dentist has to do his
side of it at a lower price per hour of work than other things which are
totally under his control.


which begs the question, what are these NHS figures based on? Maybe
they're viable in certain areas but not anywhere near London. And if
dentists won't do their side at a reduced cost, why have an NHS contract
at all? I suppose there are times when they can do five minutes work and
shaft you for the band 2 fee.

In some ways it's a pity the individual couldn't simply make up the
difference. That would be much cheaper than going private. But far too
logical for any government.

That would seem to be a sensible option