Re: Private healthcare
Bumping this thread rather than beginning a new one as it refers to dental costs.
I had my first appointment with my new dentist today. Firstly, just a quick refresher on the circumstances:
Some of you may recall back in September some hassle I had when a long-standing front crown came loose and was re-cemented back in and I paid the NHS Band 1 charge for the work. Two or three days later the crown was loose again and a second visit to my dentist saw it fixed once more. The problem was that I was asked to pay AGAIN even though it was only a couple of days since it fell out.
Cutting things short, I complained and said I would call the governing body and mention this. A call back from the dentist said that she was very upset and she would waive the charge if I left her practice. This I did.
By the by, and the crown was okay until last month when it was loose again. I tried in vain to find a new dentist and was told to ring again on June 1st. I managed to get in at my previous dentist. Meanwhile my crown fell out two weeks ago, the problem was that it had actually broken off and leaves an unsightly gap with broken tooth in the gum.
Last week I joined a dental plan through my union Unite for £11.50 per month which covers all NHS charges to the value of £500 per year.
Today I went to my new dentist and she was very good and after a check-up explained that I could have dentures fitted but because of this procedure it may require doing on a continuous basis over the years, costing my Band 3 charges each time I went to get it sorted out. Over time, though I would get most of my charges back, this would be very annoying to have to get done all the time.
She explained about the procedure for a pallate to be fitted for the one tooth which would be permanent and adjustable and would be a good idea but this would be private treatment and she didn't do that. I said I would go away and maybe find a private dentist and look into this. I have managed to cancel the Unite dental plan before my first payment as this is now pointless.
Well, it costs an absolute fortune! Around £2700 to get done. I'm thinking though that it may be worth it as I can get it sorted when I dip into my age 55 pension in October. I'm now going to wait three months or so until I can go ahead and start talking to private dentists.