I’ve been to the dentist twice in 3 weeks & have been charged NHS band one treatment on both occasions & I’m not sure this is right. The 1st appt was an urgent one for a tooth infection (a known problematic tooth), they’d had a cancellation, offered me this & I attended during normal hours. The appt lasted no more than a few minutes. A quick look in my mouth, infection confirmed, antibiotics prescribed & £27.60 charged & paid.
Initially I thought the infection had cleared but after a couple of weeks, I still experienced some sensation so rang the practice for advice. I was due a check up anyway so she booked me a routine check up appt first (in 6 weeks time) & then checked the diary for an urgent/emergency appt for the infection. After initially saying there were no such appts available, she managed to find me one but I still had to wait another 5 days, again this appt was during normal working hours.
Upon attending the “urgent slot” the dentist didn’t think there was any infection which was good & she agreed to do the check up there & then & cancel the future appt the receptionist made. I was charged £27.60 again.
I questioned having to pay again but was told this was because the first original appt was an emergency appt.
I’ve checked with Dr Google & if I’m correct, it says there shouldn’t be a charge if only a prescription was given with no other treatment. The appt was during normal working hours, no examination or anything so can anyone confirm if the dentist is correct in charging me twice, before I challenge this a second time please.
I’d like to add, this isn’t the first time I’ve felt my dental practice doesn’t have fair charging practices.
A couple of years ago, they expected me to pay twice because they couldn’t fit me in within the two month window. I paid for band 2 treatment but rang to rearrange an appt as I’d got massive cold sores. The new appt wasn’t for a month & I was happy to wait but when I checked there wouldn’t be another charge, I was told I’d have to pay again. If I hadn’t asked, she wouldn’t have told me. It wasn’t my fault they couldn’t fit me in in time, I thought I was doing the right thing & when I said I’d stick to my original appt & bring my cold sores with me, she somehow managed to find me a sooner appt therefore avoiding paying again.
Any advice on this situation would be greatly appreciated.
Initially I thought the infection had cleared but after a couple of weeks, I still experienced some sensation so rang the practice for advice. I was due a check up anyway so she booked me a routine check up appt first (in 6 weeks time) & then checked the diary for an urgent/emergency appt for the infection. After initially saying there were no such appts available, she managed to find me one but I still had to wait another 5 days, again this appt was during normal working hours.
Upon attending the “urgent slot” the dentist didn’t think there was any infection which was good & she agreed to do the check up there & then & cancel the future appt the receptionist made. I was charged £27.60 again.
I questioned having to pay again but was told this was because the first original appt was an emergency appt.
I’ve checked with Dr Google & if I’m correct, it says there shouldn’t be a charge if only a prescription was given with no other treatment. The appt was during normal working hours, no examination or anything so can anyone confirm if the dentist is correct in charging me twice, before I challenge this a second time please.
I’d like to add, this isn’t the first time I’ve felt my dental practice doesn’t have fair charging practices.
A couple of years ago, they expected me to pay twice because they couldn’t fit me in within the two month window. I paid for band 2 treatment but rang to rearrange an appt as I’d got massive cold sores. The new appt wasn’t for a month & I was happy to wait but when I checked there wouldn’t be another charge, I was told I’d have to pay again. If I hadn’t asked, she wouldn’t have told me. It wasn’t my fault they couldn’t fit me in in time, I thought I was doing the right thing & when I said I’d stick to my original appt & bring my cold sores with me, she somehow managed to find me a sooner appt therefore avoiding paying again.
Any advice on this situation would be greatly appreciated.
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