Dental Hygienist Treatment NHS? (2024)

Toothsmith Posts: 10,088 Forumite

5 November 2006 at 7:25PM

If you are an NHS patient then all treatment other than 'cosmetic' stuff should be provided on the NHS.

This is clearly stated on the dentist's NHS contract.

So unless the hygienist just wants to see you again for 'cosmetic' reasons, you shouldn't have to pay.

This is a common dodge used by dentists still on the NHS, as the new contract gives no more credit for short courses of treatment as long ones. Therefore the dentist has great difficulty reaching his points target if patients have long courses of treatment under the NHS.

My opinion is, if they couldn't stick to the contact they shouldn't have signed it.

In a way, you are doing well to get ANY treatment from a hygienist on the NHS. Most practices say that hygienists are 'private only'. Although this is still against the terms of the contract.

I would have a word with the practice, and ask if the extra hygienist visits are purely cosmetic. If they are - you don't need them, if they aren't - you are entitled to them on the NHS.

The Primary Care Trust should be able to take matters further if you get no joy from the practice itself.

5 November 2006 at 8:13PM

Thanks for the explanation of how the system works.

The first visit to the hygienist last week was a scrape and polish and to examine the causes of gum problems which I have. The hygienst also explained the correct way to clean teeth, gums etc

The follow up visit which is in 3 weeks time is to examine if there is an improvement with my gums, so do you consider this classified has cosmetic work?

Toothsmith Posts: 10,088 Forumite

5 November 2006 at 8:47PM

LondonDiva Posts: 3,011 Forumite

6 November 2006 at 9:22PM

Discuss the cosmetic / essential work with them reasonably, please no shouting / raving. If they disagree, accept and go away.

So many dodgy issues with dentists/GPs don't get sorted because the patient throws a massive tantrum/develops into a slanging match at reception and the practice then very reasonably kicks them of the list.

Take some notes down and ring/email the Patient Advice & Liasion Service (PALS) of your local PCT or the PCT the dentist is based at. Explain the situation, that you don't want to complain but that you want them to: be aware of the situation; to make sure that the dentist is acting properly and for them to sort it out.

Toothsmith Posts: 10,088 Forumite

6 November 2006 at 9:25PM

Good point LD!

I should have made that a bit clearer.

trinnylilac Posts: 1,005 Forumite

6 November 2006 at 10:09PM

I wonder if anyone can help me . I am nearly at the end of my dental overhall.( had roots out,fillings,abscess's,horrendous toothache etc ) and now would like to visit a hygienist but my dental practice (nhs) doesn't have one..
He is just a one man practice ( a very nice one) but thats it..

Can I visit a hygienist elsewhere or would I have to join another practice..
I am ok about paying as have HSA cover..

Also can anyone advise exactly what a hygienist does. Can they get rid of the little black marks on the teeth ( don't need fillings) or do they just clean and polish the teeth.. I just want to know how important it is to visit one as part of your dental health...

Toothsmith Posts: 10,088 Forumite

7 November 2006 at 8:46AM

A lot of dentists don't have a hygienist.

There is nothing that a hygienist does that a dentist can't do. It's just that some dentists let hygienists do the more routine stuff so that they can concentrate on the more complex stuff.

Also, a hygienist can spend more time with the patient and explain in greater detail how to toothbrush better, and aspects of diet in relation to teeth.

They can't polish away ingrained marks on a tooth, as that involves removing tooth substance, and only a dentist can do that.

If a dentist doesn't have a hygienist, I would think it unlikely that he would refer you to one at another practice. You may well have to change practice in order to see a hygienist.

I wouldn't recommend this at all though if you are happy with the dentist you have.

Explain your concerns to him, and see what he suggests he can do about it. If you explain to him that you are willing to pay extra for cosmetic work, he may well suggest different types of treatment which will address your concerns.

simplicity Posts: 107 Forumite

14 November 2006 at 12:54PM

this site is invaluable! popped into my local village dentists last week after having rung them asking whether there is space for them to register me as an nhs patient. they advised me to come in and have an initial consultation after which they could possibly refer me to one of their trainee graduate (or was it undergraduate) people. the head dentist made me feel uncomfortable and pressurised me to go private with him. he then suggested 2 hygienist treatments for me due to my inflammed gum. i go back to reception and they horrify me with an invoice for 93 quid for the hygienist! i've only just graduated. i have no money! i'd much rather stick with inflammed gums.

went back armed with the knowledge gained from this thread and it was then agreed that the dentist (i have finally been allocated an nhs person) could do this for me, which would be free. thanks guys.

hurrah!

Lindapr Posts: 1 Newbie

20 November 2008 at 9:51AM

tirednewdad Posts: 256 Forumite

20 November 2008 at 11:53AM

Lindapr wrote: »

I am on income support and have just rang my dentist to quote some of the facts from this forum. I have to pay 40 pounds for the hygenist and it is not cosmetic. She was quite rude and said that you have all been lying. SHE SAID THE HYGENIST IS PRIVATE AND THEY HAVE TO PAY HER A LOT OF MONEY AND NO ONE GETS FREE TREATMENT. SO I WILL HAVE TO GO AGAIN THIS AFTERNOON AND PAY THE 40 POUNDS FOR MY GUM TREATMENTS, WHICH IS A HEALTH MATTER. sorry capitals.:cool:

The dentist is entitled to offer a hygienist appointment PRIVATELY. It is very rare to have Hygienists appointments as an NHS option

However, the practice must provide you with a NHS option for your clean (unless it is cosmetic) as part of thier dental contract.

Ask the receptionist again nicely- explain that 'you cannot afford a Private hygienist clean, but will accept a clean from your dentist as part of your NHS BAND 1 treatment'

If you are still refused then ask to speak (again nicely) to the practice manager. If you have no luck then contact your healthboard, or at least mention to the manager that you will contact your health board to check if this is the case.